Police have arrested a man for practicing sorcery in Male’, and have launched an investigation.

The alleged sorcerer was arrested a 3:00am in Maafaanu, according to police.

Earlier this month a 76 year-old man was found murdered with multiple stab wounds on Kudahuvadhoo island in Dhaalu Atoll.

Ali Hassan, whom islanders alleged was a sorcerer, was found knifed at an uninhabited house around 8:00 pm on Sunday night.

The appalling murder left many islanders on Kudahuvadhoo shocked and frightened.

“Because the wounds are so inhumane, some people believe the death was caused by Fanditha [sorcery] or Jinni [evil spirits],” said one, under condition of anonymity.

Days later, local religious NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf asked the authorities to enact legislation to make sorcery or black magic illegal in the Maldives.

During a religious program broadcasted live on local radio SunFM, Salaf President Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed said the Anti-Sorcery Act is required to “protect the people from evils of sorcery”, and prosecute suspected sorcerers.