New york: The latest release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced a 2017 interview with former Dutch banker Ronald Bernard, in which he alleged that ritualistic child sacrifices were practiced among the upper echelons of the financial world.

According to Anadolu Agency, in a 2017 interview with Netherlands-based DVM TV, Bernard said that individuals from the upper levels of the financial world, with whom he acknowledged having contact, largely adhered to what he described as 'Luciferian' beliefs. Bernard elaborated, "You can say, religion is a fairy tale, God doesn't exist, none of that is real. Well, for these people it is truth and reality, and they served something immaterial, what they called Lucifer."

Bernard noted that he went to places called "Churches of Satan," where they conducted Holy Mass with "naked women and liquor," emphasizing his skepticism about the reality of these practices. He recounted, "But then at some point, I was invited, which is why I'm telling you all this, to participate in sacrifices abroad. That was the breaking point. Children." When questioned about whether he was asked to sacrifice children, he confirmed and added that he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Bernard further stated, "Unfortunately the truth is, that worldwide they have been doing this for thousands of years." The resurfacing of these claims comes amidst the latest batch of Epstein-related documents released by the US Justice Department last week, which mentions several high-profile figures.

Epstein, who was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had pleaded guilty in a court in the state of Florida and was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008. However, critics have labeled the relatively minor conviction a 'sweetheart deal.' His victims have alleged that he operated a sprawling sex trafficking network that was used by members of the wealthy and political elite.