Accused spy claims voodoo training

LONDON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A British army interpreter who is accused of passing secrets to Iran said at his trial that he is a voodoo priest and used black magic to protect his NATO boss.

Cpl. Daniel James, 45 -- who is charged under the 1911 Official Secrets Act with passing information to Iran while he was serving in Afghanistan -- told the London court he was trained as a voodoo priest during one of his numerous trips to Cuba, The Times of London reported Friday.

James told the court he repeatedly used black magic to help Gen. David Richards, his boss and commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in 2006.

The interpreter said he used seashells, dust, Tarot cards, candles and a picture of Richards in his rituals.

James pleaded not guilty to two charges of communicating information and collecting documents useful to an enemy, as well as one charge of willful misconduct in public office. He is accused of sending e-mails and making phone calls to Col. Mohammad Heydari, a military assistant at the Iranian Embassy in Kabul.

James was also found to be in possession of two confidential "situation reports" after returning to Afghanistan from a two-week vacation.