Police sought digital information from former State Minister for Environment Fathimath Shamnaz and her sister Hawwa Sana Saleem, both of whom are under arrest on suspicion of using witchcraft "to get closer to" President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Adhadhu has learned.
A list of items needed for the investigation was included in the warrant obtained by police to search Shamnaz and Sana's apartment. The items included mobile phones, pen drives, external hard disks, computer systems, laptops, any device that can store digital data, books related to the case and any item used for sorcery or black magic.
Items seized by police
A source with knowledge of the matter spoke to Adhadhu about the items seized for the police investigation after checking Shamnaz and Sana's apartment. In addition to Shamnaz and Sana's phones, police took a sealed mobile phone, a key tag distributed during an Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) tournament, a lock of hair found in Sana's room and a necklace from Shamnaz's room.
The key tag police confiscated was a woollen plush doll.
The arrest of Shamnaz and the search of her apartment were both based solely on an intelligence report. Police have not revealed either the intelligence information or whether the target of Shamnaz's alleged witchcraft was the President, her ex-husband Adam Rameez or some other person.
Shamnaz and Sana were arrested for allegedly paying Hussain Sameer from Thaa Kinbidhoo on several occasions to practice "sorcery and black magic to split up a couple and to win over love and establish close relations with persons". To obtain the arrest warrant, police cited the potential danger to society over the likelihood of the suspects repeating the offences.
However, police arrested Shamnaz and Sana several days after securing the court order, Adhadhu has learned.
Police have not revealed the source of the complaint that led to Shamnaz and Sana's arrest or divulged any further information related to the case.
The witchcraft allegation surfaced after news broke about the sidelining of President's Office Minister Adam Rameez, formerly the President's "right-hand man". Rameez, who played a key role in the campaign to bring Muizzu to power, was suspended on Thursday.
