Palestinian ‘exorcist’ nabbed plundering Jerusalem tomb

A Palestinian man claiming to be an exorcist, his four kids and a friend were arrested by Israeli authorities early Wednesday morning while they were allegedly trying to plunder an ancient tomb in Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus neighborhood.

The six suspects, residents of the nearby Palestinian neighborhood of Issawiya, were caught in the act by Israel Antiquities Authority rangers, who staked out the scene, the IAA said.

The suspects were caught conducting illegal excavations in a tunnel dating to the Second Temple period, roughly 2,000 years ago, while in possession of digging implements.

“It’s the second time in the past year that the antiquities theft prevention unit has succeeded in stopping a gang of antiquities thieves in this important site,” inspector Uzi Rotstein said. “The area of Mount Scopus is one of the richest areas with tombs from the Second Temple era in Jerusalem.”

When interrogated, the father said two of his children recently entered the cave and heard dull thuds in the ceiling. He claimed he was an exorcist and that the voices came from a demon who was protecting the cave’s great treasure.

The IAA noted that illegal excavation at an antiquities site is punishable by up to five years in prison.

After being questioned by the IAA agents, the suspects were released on bail ahead of formal charges.