Romanian deputies rejected on Tuesday a bill aimed at protecting people deceived by fortunetellers or "witchcraft" practitioners, news agency Agerpres reports. 249 deputies voted in favor of an Industry Commission report recommending the rejection of the bill, with only 10 votes against the recommendation and six abstentions.

25 deputies initiated a legislative proposal last year on protecting people deceived by occult practices, a bill aimed at preventing "the devastating effects of witchcraft".

The proposal was aimed at regulating occult practices and activities but mainly at protecting people deceived by fortunetellers and practitioners of other such activities.

The Senate passed the bill by failing to discuss and vote it in due time. The House of Deputies held the final vote on the bill.