APPELSCHA, Netherlands (AP) -- Dutch witches were guaranteed a financial treat when the Leeuwarden District Court reaffirmed their legal right to write off the costs of schooling -- including in witchcraft -- against their tax bills. Those costs run to thousands of euros.

The case is brewing political fury in the halls of Dutch government where a member of parliament for the ruling Christian Democrats demanded an explanation.

''It's just because the word 'witch' was mentioned that they have woken up,'' said Margarita Rongen, clad in flowing black velvet robes and wearing a Wiccan talisman. ''This write-off has been around for a long time.''