Seychelles’ main opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, who heads the United Seychelles party, has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of witchcraft. Herminie, a former parliamentary speaker, has criticized the charges, describing them as politically motivated.
Herminie’s arrest took place last Friday at his party’s headquarters, where authorities conducted a search of his office before eventually releasing him. On Monday, he was formally charged, along with seven others, at the Seychelles magistrates’ court. The charges are related to a probe into alleged “witchcraft” activities and “unnatural and superstitious” practices.
Herminie voiced strong opposition to the arrest, suggesting that it is part of an orchestrated effort by President Wavel Ramkalawan to eliminate potential challengers ahead of the 2025 elections. He expressed these sentiments shortly after his arrest on Friday, stating that the move is politically motivated.
According to prosecutors, Herminie’s name was discovered in a WhatsApp message exchange with a Tanzanian individual who was apprehended in September. The Tanzanian was allegedly found in possession of various items associated with witchcraft, including black wooden artifacts, small bottles containing a brownish liquid, and documents containing language and symbols described as satanic.
The case also has ties to an investigation that commenced in August when two bodies were discovered buried in a cemetery on the main island of Mahe. The victims were identified as an elderly woman and a young man.
Prosecutors have pointed out that symbols found on the documents seized from the Tanzanian suspect bore similarities to those discovered at vandalized sites in Seychelles, including Catholic churches.
Herminie and the other Seychellois defendants have been released on bail, each required to post 30,000 Seychelles rupees (equivalent to approximately $2,200). The Tanzanian suspect remains in police custody.
The case will return to court for further proceedings on November 3.
