Only suspended sentences

Family kidnapped self-proclaimed voodoo magician

One and a half years after the kidnapping, the verdict in the case was handed down at Leipzig District Court.(Bild: Tuxyso / Wikimedia Commons)

What happened: A Syrian family had entrusted a self-proclaimed voodoo magician with 15,000 euros. He had promised them to miraculously increase the money with the help of a mysterious liquid and incantations. When the plan failed and the money and magician were gone, the family members tracked down the man in a prefabricated building in January 2023 and kidnapped him.

Two days later, they returned to Leipzig to search the man's apartment again. They were arrested by the police and the alleged magician was freed. The verdicts are not yet final.

Dangerous bodily harm and attempted coercion
One and a half years after the kidnapping, the verdict in the case has now been handed down: Four men received prison sentences of two years for deprivation of liberty, dangerous bodily harm and attempted coercion, another defendant was sentenced to six months for aiding and abetting. All sentences were suspended on probation.

Despite the drama, the events were "milder than initially charged", said Bernd Gicklhorn, presiding judge at Leipzig District Court, explaining the decision.