Police in the Maldives have detained Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy, over accusations related to "black magic," officials confirmed on Thursday. The arrest, which also involved two other individuals in the capital Male, has sparked a wave of speculation and concern across the Indian Ocean nation.

Shamnaz Saleem, a prominent figure in Maldivian environmental policy, has been remanded in custody for a week pending further investigations, according to police sources. The specific details leading to her arrest have not been disclosed officially, but local media outlets, including the Sun, have reported allegations that she performed black magic rituals targeting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

While police have neither confirmed nor denied these allegations, the incident has raised eyebrows in a country where sorcery is not a criminal offense under the penal code but can carry a six-month jail term under Islamic law. The Maldives, a predominantly Muslim nation, has a cultural backdrop where traditional ceremonies, including those involving sorcery beliefs, are widely practiced and ingrained in local customs.

This recent development underscores deeper societal tensions surrounding beliefs in spiritual practices and their perceived impacts on public figures. The case has drawn parallels to past incidents, such as a tragic stabbing in 2023 on Manadhoo Island, where accusations of sorcery led to fatal consequences. Despite extensive police investigations, no evidence was found linking the victim to sorcery practices.

The controversy echoes historical instances where accusations of sorcery or supernatural influences have intersected with political or social unrest in the Maldives. In one notable incident in 2012, authorities cracked down on an opposition rally after alleging the throwing of a "cursed rooster" during a police raid, highlighting the complex interplay between tradition, belief, and modern governance.

As the investigation into Shamnaz Saleem's case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the cultural and legal nuances shaping public discourse and governance in the Maldives, especially amid its frontline position in addressing climate change impacts, including rising sea levels threatening its existence.

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