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Israeli psychic Uri Geller says he is convinced that his friend Michael Jackson is innocent of child abuse allegations because he used his special powers to delve into the pop singer's unconscious mind to obtain the truth.
Geller, who has achieved worldwide fame by his ability to apparently use his mental powers to bend metal, told Israeli Army Radio how he was invited to hypnotise Jackson at the singer's own request to help him overcome a craving for eating a particular type of food.
The hypnosis took place before Jackson was alleged to have molested a cancer-stricken boy invited to his Neverland Ranch.
Last week, Jackson was formally charged in relation to that case.
He faces seven counts alleging lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. The molestation charges each carry between three and eight years in prison.
"Some three years ago, I was alone with Michael Jackson in a recording studio and I told him that that if he would let me I would hypnotise him," Geller told the radio. "He said, 'okay, let's give it a try'."
Geller said he asked Jackson about persistent rumours he had abused children.
"He answered me under deep hypnosis that he had never touched a child in a sexual way. He said - and here I'm using his exact words - 'my relations with children are very beautiful'," Gellar said.
Geller said he was convinced Jackson was telling him the truth.
"I'm a good hypnotist and I know who is trying to mislead me. I can see straight into the subject's eyes. Michael didn't fool me, I'm absolutely sure of it," he said.
Geller said he had not asked for Jackson's permission to ask about the abuse allegations during the hypnosis. Geller said he asked the question anyhow because he was about to introduce Jackson to his family and wanted to be sure the singer was innocent.
Elaborating on his theme for the British media, Geller told the Sunday Telegraph: "I have hypnotised many people, and its easy to tell if they are faking. A good subject can eat a whole onion in the belief that it's a sweet apple."
"Michael was an excellent subject. I could have told him to write me a cheque for $1 million and he would have done it on the spot," he said.
"Of course I did not intend to take advantage of him that way. But what I did was, it must be said, equally unethical.
"I gave him an affirmation, a positive statement used by hypnotists to change a patient's behaviour, so that he would no longer have the craving.
"At that point I should have brought him gently out of his trance.
"Instead I asked him, "Michael Jackson, tell me with total honesty what was the real story behind the allegations of sexual abuse made against you by the boy Jordy Chadler?
"He did not hesitate, 'It was all made up. His family just wanted my money."
Asked by Geller in the same session if he had ever touched a child or young person in an improper way, Jackson replied, "Never."