• 'Witches' arrested over extortion for spells

    By The Associated Press

    BUCHAREST, Romania - Two self-professed witches were detained in Romania on blackmail and extortion charges on Wednesday in a high-profile case involving a TV star and reportedly other public figures.

    Police spokesman Christian Ciocan said the two women — who go by the single names of Melissa and Vanessa — approached public figures promising to help them overcome work or love difficulties, and help them break curses.

    He said the women initially charged very little, but then, as their victims became hooked on their services, increased their prices.

    Ciocan cited one case where the victim — who later publicly identified herself as TV personality Oana Zavoranu — handed over euro450,000 (US$593,000) in cash and property in exchange for spells.

    He said the witches practiced voodoo, and sacrificed animals in graveyards and near rivers, claiming this would protect Zavoranu from her mother and in-laws who had put a curse on her.

    The witches, however, claim Zavoranu is being vengeful because she asked them to cast a spell on her mother that would kill her, but the mother is still alive.

    The ex-wife of businessman Cristi Borcea, one of two owners of Romanian football team Dinamo Bucharest, was also cited as a victim, but she has neither confirmed or denied the case.

    Ciocan said if the victims tried to cease payment, the two women would threaten to put a spell on them, or disclose details of their personal lives.

    A court ruled Melissa and Vanessa will be released later Wednesday, awaiting trial.

    Many people believe in witchcraft in Romania. President Traian Basescu and his aides have been known to wear purple on certain days, supposedly to ward off evil.

    Romania has recently been trying to introduce legislation to limit witchcraft. This month, lawmaker Nicolae Paun, who represents the Roma, or Gypsies, in Parliament, said legislation must be enacted to stop what he called "backward practices."

    Most self-professed witches in Romania are Roma.

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