Iraqi court sentences self-styled 'spiritual magician' to six years in prison

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A criminal court in Wasit province has sentenced a man who presented himself as a "spiritual magician" to six years in prison and a 20 million dinar fine, court sources said. The defendant confessed during the investigation to deceiving numerous women by promising to reunite them with ex-husbands or bring back former lovers. According to the case file, the man told victims they would see results within three days and carried out procedures he described as "lower magic." The conviction was based on submitted evidence and the defendant's admissions, according to the sources. The court ruled that the actions constituted a serious offense under Article 352 of Iraq's amended Penal Code No. 111 of 1969. Officials said the case forms part of broader judicial efforts to address fraud and extortion schemes that exploit social and psychological vulnerabilities. No further details on the defendant or the victims were immediately available.