No charges over president's family 'witchcraft'

The Prosecutor General's Office (PG) has decided not to prosecute the accused in the case of witchcraft against President Mohamed Muizzu.

Two others, including Environment Ministry State Minister Fathmath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, were arrested in late June. Shamnaz's sister Hawwa Sana is among them.

Shamnaz's lawyer appealed the arrest order in the High Court. On 13th last month, police released the three without reviewing their arrest. They were released after the investigation did not find reason for them to be remanded in custody, police said.

Late last month, police said the prosecutor's office was in talks to prosecute all those involved.

The prosecutor's office told Atoll Times on Wednesday that it has decided not to prosecute the case.

According to the prosecutor's office, the charges are being dropped because there is not enough evidence in the case to make a criminal charge.

Shamnaz and her ex-husband, President's Office Minister Adam Rameez, have been suspended amid allegations of witchcraft against the President and his family. They are still in suspension.

Before being appointed as the State Minister for Environment, Shamnaz was a councillor for the Henveiru South constituency of the Male City Council.

Rameez, who used to work as a close associate of the President, was also a member of the Male City Council.