A French couple were arrested in Spain in late December for planning to “sacrifice” their five-year-old son in the Sahara, believing he was “possessed”, Spanish authorities said on Saturday, AFP reported.

Sand dunes in MoroccoPhoto: Alan Novelli / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

The Civil Guard arrested a “couple of French origin” who “intended to kill their five-year-old son in the Sahara because they thought he was possessed,” thus wanting to “sacrifice” him, according to a press release. without specifying the origin of the family from France.

The arrest took place on December 21 in the southern Spanish port of Algeciras as the family prepared to board a ferry to Tangier in Morocco.

The two parents have “mental problems” and a European arrest warrant has been issued for them, the Civil Guard added, without providing further details. A judge in Spain remanded the two suspects in custody.

The child is healthy and was sent to a reception center for minors in Spain before being returned to France.