7 to stand trial for Italy magic sect

(ANSA) - Potenza, September 17 - An Italian judge on Thursday ordered seven people to stand trial for participating in a sect that allegedly sold potions and staged magic rituals to obtain sexual favours in the southern Italian city of Matera.
    Salvatore Maraglino, who was known as "Wizard Sal" is accused of setting up the sect, which police say was involved in extortion, fraud, sexual abuse and grooming for prostitution between 2007 and 2013.
    The group often involved its victims in rituals which included the staging of deceptive tricks to sell "miraculous potions" and obtain sex, according to investigators.
    The first hearing in the main trial was set for January 12, 2016. One of the accused was convicted in a fast-track procedure and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.