French couple arrested in Spain for planning to 'sacrifice' five-year-old son in the Sahara
In December, Spanish officials announced the detention of a French pair who were allegedly plotting to "sacrifice" their five-year-old son in the Sahara, believing him to be "possessed." The arrest took place on December 21 at the southern Spanish port of Algeciras, just as the family was preparing to board a ferry headed for Tangiers in Morocco.
- Europe
- AFP
- Published Date: 07:28 | 30 December 2023
- Modified Date: 07:33 | 30 December 2023
Spanish authorities on Saturday said they had arrested a French couple earlier in December for planning to "sacrifice" in the Sahara their five-year-old son, who they believed to be "possessed".
The couple was arrested on December 21 in the southern Spanish port of Algeciras, as the family was about to board a ferry to the Moroccan city of Tangiers.
The Guardia Civil police force said in a statement they had arrested a "couple of French origin" who "intended to murder their five-year-old son in the Sahara, believing him to be possessed".
Both parents had "psychiatric problems" and were the subject of a European arrest warrant for the abduction of a minor, the Guardia Civil added.
The pair have been remanded in custody by a judge in Spain.
The child is in good health and has been sent to a reception centre for minors in Spain before being returned to France.