She has been remanded in custody for a week pending investigations, though specific details regarding her arrest have not been disclosed by the police.
Local media outlet, the Sun, reported that Shamnaz was arrested for allegedly performing black magic on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, but this claim has neither been confirmed nor denied by the police.
Shamnaz’s role is crucial as the Maldives faces significant threats from climate change, with rising sea levels posing a severe risk to its habitability by the end of the century, according to UN environment experts.
In the Maldives, sorcery is not a criminal offence under the penal code, but it is punishable by a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law. Traditional ceremonies involving black magic are widely practiced across the archipelago, with many believing they can bring favors or curses.
This arrest is part of a broader context of incidents involving accusations of sorcery. In April 2023, a 62-year-old woman was murdered by three neighbors on the island of Manadhoo after being accused of conducting black magic ceremonies. Despite a lengthy investigation, police found no evidence that the victim performed sorcery. Additionally, in 2012, police disrupted an opposition political rally, claiming organizers had thrown a “cursed rooster” at officers.
These events underscore the ongoing influence of traditional beliefs in Maldivian society and the serious consequences that can arise from accusations of sorcery.
