Family members of Shamnaz, dismissed from positions
While Shamnaz's family members were dismissed on Tuesday, Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has also been sacked
Former State Minister Shamnaz with President Muizzu
Family members of former State Minister at the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, who was arrested on suspicion of practicing black magic to "get closer" to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, have been dismissed from their political positions.
Shamnaz was removed from her position on 26 June 2024. In addition to this, Shamnaz's ex-husband Adam Rameez, who was one of the incumbent president’s closest advisors and a former Minister at the President's Office, was also dismissed from his position.
While Shamnaz was arrested, charged, and later released after the case was investigated, neither the Maldives Police Service (MPS) nor the government have since revealed any further details about the case. However, according to reliable sources, two of Shamnaz's siblings have been dismissed from their positions. Those dismissed include Shamnaz's sibling who held the position of Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Higher Education, as well as her sibling who was the Senior Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to Shamnaz, her sister Hawwa Sana Ali Saleem was also detained in connection with the case of allegedly practicing black magic to "get closer" to the president. However, as it was deemed unnecessary to keep them in detention while the investigation was ongoing, both individuals were released on 13 July 2024.
During the investigation, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs examined and analyzed items taken from their residences to determine if there was any links to black magic, but the ministry had stated that no such items were found.
Further, while Shamnaz was in detention, her lawyer told RaajjeTV that the police had told her she was being "offered" to implicate her ex-husband Adam Rameez in a criminal offense, suggesting that she would be cleared if she gave a statement against Rameez.
In addition to Shamnaz and Sana, another person was arrested in connection with the case.
While Shamnaz's family members were dismissed on Tuesday, Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has also been removed from his position.
