The Maldives police arrested two sitting ministers for their alleged involvement in a ‘juju’ targeting President Mohamed Muizzu, as reported by local media on Thursday.
Shamnaz Saleem, a former state minister, and Adam Rameez, a minister at the President’s Office, are among four individuals arrested, according to local media reports, but the police have not disclosed any information about the alleged black magic practices or the reasons for the arrest.
“Shamnaz, alongside two other individuals, was arrested on Sunday. All three of them have been remanded in custody for seven days. She was suspended from her post on Wednesday as per the Environment Ministry,” news portal Sun.mv reported, adding, Rameez too has been suspended on Thursday.
Incidentally, both Shamnaz and Rameez have worked with Muizzu as members of the Male City Council when he was serving as the city’s mayor.
Media reported that after Muizzu assumed office as the President in November last year, Shamnaz was appointed as a state minister first at Muliaage, the official residence of the president and then transferred to the Environment Ministry.
“Rameez, during his time at Male City Council, was known as a close aide of Muizzu, who was the mayor at that time,” Sun.mv said further and added, “However, he has been absent from the public light in the past five months or so.”
“Rameez, during his time at Male City Council, was known as a close aide of Muizzu, who was the mayor at that time,” Sun.mv said further and added, “However, he has been absent from the public light in the past five months or so.”
The Maldives government and the President’s office have not publicly addressed the issue, opting to keep silent on the matter.
