A British jury on Thursday found a couple guilty of torturing and murdering a 15-year-old boy whom they accused of witchcraft.
Magalie Bamu and her partner Eric Bikubi, originally from Congo, were convicted of killing Magalie’s brother Kristy Bamu, who drowned in a bathtub on Christmas Day 2010.
Prosecutors at London’s Central Criminal Court said the teenager had 130 injuries inflicted by sticks, a metal bar, a hammer and a chisel. They said he eventually drowned after being forced into a bathtub and doused with cold water.
The boy “had been the victim of a prolonged attack of unspeakable savagery and brutality,” prosecutor Brian Altman told the jury.
Kristy’s sister and her boyfriend beat him as part of a “deliverance” ceremony because they believed he had cast spells on another child in the family, according to the prosecution.
Kristy and four siblings aged 11 to 22 lived in Paris but had been visiting their older sister in London for the holidays. Soon after they arrived, Bikubi accused them of bringing witchcraft into the home.
All were forced to pray for deliverance for three days and nights and deprived of food and water. Two sisters, aged 20 and 11, were beaten along with Kristy, but escaped further attacks after “confessing” to being witches, the prosecution said.
Bikubi, 28, and Magalie Bamu, 29, had pleaded not guilty. Judge David Paget said they would be sentenced Monday. (AP)
<한글 기사>
“마술 걸었다”고 남동생 살해
영국에 거주하는 콩고 출신의 한 여성이 애인과 함께 15살 동생이 ‘마술을 걸었다’는 이유로 고문하고 숨지게 했다는 혐의에 대해 지난 목요일 유죄선고를 받았다.
피의자인 누나 마갈리(29)와 애인 비쿠비(28)는 동생의 몸에 130차례 넘게 상처를 입히고 욕조에 익사시켰다. 동생이 다른 아이에게 마법을 걸었다며 3일간 ‘구원’을 위해 기도하라고 강요하고 음식과 물을 주지 않았다.
피해자인 동생 커스티는 지난 2010년 크리스마스 당시 형제들과 파리에서 지내다가 방학 동안 누나를 방문하였다. 함께 여행하던 누나와 여동생도 고문을 당했지만 마녀임을 ‘인정’하고 목숨을 건졌다.
