Four women on trial after séance at Dutch cemetery

Four women are currently on trial in a Dutch court for allegedly desecrating children's graves during a séance at Amersfoort’s Rusthof Cemetery five years ago. Prosecutors are seeking community service sentences of up to 200 hours for the women who participated in the paranormal gathering. Two other individuals present, who merely observed the ritual, will not face charges.

The cemetery's director, who permitted the women to conduct their research after closing hours, was dismissed from his position. Parents of the buried children were not informed of the séance. The case has been heard in court previously, but the central issue now is whether the women's actions meet the definition of desecration.

The suspects, who reportedly used cat toys with lights to communicate with the deceased children, were discovered after a father found a camera at their loved one's grave. The court is expected to announce its verdict next month.