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'Witch' Burned Alive in Papua New Guinea

Girl said to spread AIDS; outbreak fuels such sorcery killings

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jan 7, 2009 4:00 PM CST

(Newser) – A young woman accused of witchcraft was doused with gasoline and burned to death on a pyre of car tires in Papua New Guinea, reports the Telegraph. The girl, aged between 16 and 21, was accused of spreading AIDS to one of her murderers in an extra-marital affair. Black magic has seen resurgence as the Pacific island nation grapples with a HIV epidemic.

“The girl was stripped naked and could not shout for assistance or resist, as she was tightly strapped and her mouth gagged,” says a 21-year-old witness. Adds the region’s police chief, “I don’t know the right words to describe it, but it’s barbaric. Can you find the best words to describe such acts that are rampant here?”

Just 100 years ago, some parts of Papua New Guinea had never seen outsiders. (AP Photo)

Witchcraft and black magic is prevalent today in the island nation. (AP Photo)

Women and girls are often the victims of witchcraft accusations in Papua New Guinea. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

The recent surge in sorcery killings coincides with an HIV epidemic. (AP Photo)

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'Witch' Burned Alive in Papua New Guinea

Girl said to spread AIDS; outbreak fuels such sorcery killings

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'Witch' Burned Alive in Papua New Guinea

Girl said to spread AIDS; outbreak fuels such sorcery killings

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

women • Papua New Guinea • murder • HIV/AIDS • witchcraft • AIDS epidemic • black magic

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Contraceptive Shot May Double HIV Risk

Study findings could present a 'major health crisis'

Since 2001, New HIV Infections Plummeted 25%

Still, some 2.6M were infected in 2009

AIDS Activist Slams 'Do- Nothing' Obama

Prez 'has been useless' on HIV, gay issues

In AIDS Battle, US Victims Take Back Seat

Time to wake up to needs of at-risk Americans

Bush: AIDS Fight in Africa Is American Way

We've taken big strides, but the fight's not over

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Newser By Users

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