Chileans detained for satanic cat rituals

The black-clad men were surprised by authorities early Wednesday as they got into a car in which police found knives and traces of blood.

SANTIAGO, February 24, 2010 (AFP) - Authorities in Chile detained nine men Wednesday for slitting the throats of cats in suspected satanic rituals, police said.

The black-clad men, aged between 18 and 24, were surprised by authorities early Wednesday as they got into a car in which police found knives and traces of blood, police chief Jorge Espinoza told journalists.

They found the gruesome evidence nearby.

"They drew a circle using salt, with a five-pointed star inside, and cats with their throats slit lay at each point," Espinoza said.

The men could not justify their presence at the site, in the town of Villa Alemana, some 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the capital Santiago.

They admitted that they knew the evidence was of a satanic nature, and were charged with mistreatment of animals before being released.