Group Calling for 'Witch' to be Pardoned

January 7, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Edinburgh Evening News

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Group-calling-for-39witch39-to.3645599.jp

A PETITION is to be submitted to the Scottish Parliament asking for support in the battle to pardon the last person to be convicted of witchcraft in Britain. Paranormal group Full Moon Investigations will submit the petition to ministers urging them to pressure the Home Office into fully pardoning Helen Duncan, a Scottish housewife jailed for witchcraft in 1944.

Ms Duncan, who lived in Niddrie, conducted seances throughout Britain, but was allegedly arrested because it was feared she would divulge details of the planned D-Day landings.

The Scottish investigators are also aiming to secure a posthumous pardon for almost 4000 people who were prosecuted and tortured prior to being executed under the witchcraft act throughout Scottish history.