An African opposition party leader was released on bail Monday after prosecutors charged him and seven others with witchcraft, the BBC reported.
Patrick Herminie, leader of the United Seychelles Party (USP), is the leading opposition figure in the Seychelles, an island nation off Africa’s east coast, according to the BBC.
Local media reports obtained by the BBC indicate that Herminie’s charges relate to the possession of objects in preparation for witchcraft activities.
Herminie, prosecutors allege, was in contact with a Tanzanian national who allegedly possessed a slew of items from brownish liquids to wood artifacts when arrested by Seychellois authorities in September, the outlet reported.
Seychelles opposition leader Patrick Herminie charged with witchcraft https://t.co/Ov9JK082TH
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 3, 2023
Herminie, the speaker of the Seychellois parliament between 2007 and 2016, called his arrest “a political show” ahead of his anticipated candidacy in the country’s 2025 presidential elections, the BBC, citing the Seychelles News Agency, reported.
Herminie said over 40 cops raided his party office in the Seychellois capital of Victoria Friday, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Meet The Pansexual Witch Running For President)
Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has yet to comment as Herminie dismissed notions of his alleged witchcraft beliefs, according to the BBC.
2023 saw tumult on the continent with the leaders of Gabon and Niger being overthrown in coups. Burkina Faso’s leader was similarly ousted in 2022.