Police in the Maldives have arrested the state minister for environment, with media in the Indian Ocean country reporting that she has been accused of using "black magic" on the president, local media outlet The Sun reported.

Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Energy Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem was arrested on Sunday along with two others in the capital, Male, police said. Police added that she was remanded in custody for a week pending investigation without giving details of her arrest.

Witchcraft is not a criminal offense under the Maldives' Muslim-majority penal code, but under Islamic law, it carries a six-month jail term, according to local media. People across the archipelago widely practice traditional ceremonies, believing they can be used to win favor and curse opponents.