A leader of the main opposition party in Seychelles Patrick Herminie was charged on Monday, September 2, over alleged witchcraft claims.

The United Seychelles Party leader, who is planning to run in the 2025 presidential elections has denied the witchcraft allegations levelled against him. 

Herminie maintained that the witchcraft rumours were being peddled by his political opponents who were out to tarnish his name.

He was arrested on Friday, August 29, at the party headquarters offices but was later released after he was interrogated and charged in court. 

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Before he was released, his home and offices were searched as part of the ongoing investigations into the case.

The opposition party leader, who is also the former speaker of parliament, was charged alongside seven other co-accused persons at the Seychelles Magistrate court. 

They were charged with alleged involvement in witchcraft and unnatural superstitious acts.

“This is a political show by the president (Wavel Ramkalawan) to frustrate those he knows will remove him from power in the 2025 elections,” Herminie told Seychelles News Agency.

According to the prosecution, Herminie’s name was found in a Whatsapp conversation with a Tanzanian man who had been detained after he was found in possession of witchcraft paraphernalia. 

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Herminie and his co-accused persons were released on a cash bail of 30,000 Seychelles rupees each.

However, the Tanzanian national was denied bail and is still being held by the police. The case will be mentioned on November 3.