Spanish father accused of 'evil spirits' rape Published duration 14 May 2018

image copyright Science Photo Library image caption Girls were allegedly told they had to be purged of "evil spirits" (file pic)

A father in Spain is accused of raping his 15-year-old daughter and two of her friends after claiming he had to rid them of evil spirits.

The man, named as Javier G D, is to go on trial on Thursday, and prosecutors are arguing for a 45-year jail term.

It is alleged that the repeated rapes took place at his home in Baix Llobregat, near Barcelona.

Prosecutors say his wife colluded with the abuse and should get nine years' jail as an accomplice.

The wife was allegedly in the house during the rapes and even asked the girls "how it had been".

The man claimed to be in the "Order of Odin" which required him to rape the girls, otherwise their relatives would be cursed with misfortune, the indictment says.

All five were jailed for nine years on the lesser charge of sexual abuse.

The verdict triggered public anger and an outpouring of personal stories of male abuse on social media.