Indictments of politicians are an integral part of democracy in the 21st century, but one island nation in the Indian Ocean has managed to deliver an episode not seen anywhere else. Patrick Hermini, leader of the United Seychelles party and leader of the country's opposition, has been accused of witchcraft, media in the small country reported.
Police said Hermini was charged along with seven others in a case related to the discovery of two bodies on the country's main island of Mahe. Police suspect that Hermini and his accomplices cast a spell to kill and conceal the deaths of the two dead who were found. Hermini and his accomplices are accused of committing witchcraft, possession of objects related to the performance of witchcraft and acquiring services to perform witchcraft.
The local court released Hermini and six of his accomplices on $2,000 bail, but one defendant, a Tanzanian resident, remains in custody. Hermini claims that the charges against him are a "political show" aimed at damaging his reputation. Prosecutors say the opposition leader corresponded with a Tanzanian national, allegedly practicing witchcraft, who was arrested at the airport in the capital Victoria upon arrival.
Mahe Island in the Seychelles, photo: Ami Shumen
It was also alleged that the Tanzanian citizen's belongings contained items related to witchcraft such as stones, black wooden objects, small bottles of brown liquid, several types of powders and documents with "satanic symbols of demons." The prosecutor's office also claimed that similar documents were found in churches in the country after they were vandalized.
Hermini, who served as parliamentary spokesman from 2007 to 2016, told local media that a force of 40 police officers raided the party's headquarters in the capital Victoria and his home. "They looked for bones, body parts, voodoo accessories and documents, but they found nothing," Hermini said.
"This whole political show is the work of President Webel Ramkelwan, who wants to eliminate those who might oust him from power in the 2005 election," Hermini told the country's state news agency.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us