Former State Minister at the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem was sacked because she had evidence linking President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to corruption, says former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Yameen said this while speaking at a gathering of his People’s National Front (PNF), held on Thursday evening.

The former president, who was a close ally of Muizzu up until a rift was caused between them after Muizzu came into power, stated that the incumbent administration has accused Shamnaz of practicing black magic and arrested her.

However, Yameen asserted that he believes the real reason for her arrest was because she had evidence linking the president to corruption.

This comes at a time the government has claimed that neither Muizzu nor his family had filed a case against Shamnaz.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’ Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Heena Waleed stated that no such case has been registered against anyone.

Heena alleged that the media was spreading baseless and false news about the president and his family.

The spokesperson’s remarks came at a time members of the public have been alleging that the case was filed to avenge the leaking of a video of Muizzu's spouse First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, participating in Karaoke.

Speaking on this matter, Yameen expressed belief that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) would not initiate an investigation into such a case, by themselves.

Therefore, even though the president and the family have said that they did not file the case, the police are looking into the matter as they were instructed to do so, according to Yameen.

Highlighting that Shamnaz was a close associate of Muizzu back when he served as Mayor of Malé City, at the city council, Yameen stressed that she could have had a pen drive that contained evidence of corruption, linked to Muizzu.

Yameen stressed that it wasn’t that unlikely for those who work together for so long, to do something so low in order to protect themselves.

This said, Yameen said he strongly believes that the former state minister’s house raided and searched, to obtain the evidence and not because she was involved in practicing black magic.

The police institution earlier revealed that former state minister Shamnaz and two others were arrested on June 23 in connection with a case being probed by the police.

They were remanded for a seven-day period upon being presented to the court.

Arrested in connection with the case were Shamnaz, her sibling Sana and the alleged black magician.

Shamnaz was sacked from her position as State Minister at the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy on June 26.

Her ex-husband, Adam Rameez who was serving as a Minister at the President’s Office, was suspended as well. Rameez is known to have been a close associate of President Muizzu, in the past.

The President’s Office has confirmed Rameez’s suspension as a minister at the office.

However, the reason for his suspension was not clarified.

Earlier, it was revealed that the state minister was arrested under accusations of performing black magic to “get closer” to Muizzu. The arrest was made at her residence, where officers conducted a raid and confiscated several items.

Shamnaz is now referred to as a former state minister.

Shamnaz first served at the official residence of the president, Mulee’aage.

However, she was later transferred to the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.

This happened right after she was slapped with accusations of leaking videos of FL Sajidha, participating in Karaoke.

After the Karaoke videos of the first lady went viral, some alleged that Shamnaz was transferred to the environment ministry after Sajidha expressed disapproval.