Opposition member Patrick Herminie has witchcraft charges dropped in Seychelles.

Seychelles' opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, has had the witchcraft charges against him dropped by prosecutors. Herminie had consistently denied the accusations, referring to them as a "malicious action." The charges related to the discovery of two bodies unearthed from a cemetery on Mahé Island. Herminie plans to run in the 2025 presidential election under the United Seychelles Party. He criticized President Wavel Ramkalawan, calling the case an "abuse of power." The president has not commented on the matter. The prosecutor did not provide any reasons for withdrawing the charges. Last October, Herminie and six co-accused Seychellois individuals were released on bail. They were initially charged with possession of items associated with witchcraft, conspiracy to perform witchcraft, and procuring services related to witchcraft. According to prosecutors, the opposition leader's name appeared in a WhatsApp message between a Seychellois citizen and a Tanzanian suspect, who was apprehended at the main international airport. The Tanzanian was found in possession of items supposedly connected to witchcraft. Documents with "demonic and satanic" symbols, similar to those discovered in vandalized Catholic churches and other locations on Mahé Island, were also uncovered. Four individuals involved in the original case, including Herminie, are no longer facing charges. However, a new case has been opened against the Tanzanian and two others. Last year, Herminie stated that over 40 police officers had raided his party's offices in Victoria, searching for witchcraft-related items, but none were found. He expressed his dismay at being the first political party leader in Seychelles to be arrested for superstition and witchcraft, deeming it shameful for the country.