Los Angeles: Pop icon Michael Jackson was indicted by a grand jury in California, likely on child molestation charges, Jackson's publicist said.

"Yes, he was indicted, we don't know anything about the date of trial," publicist AD King said by telephone.

The singer, 45, was indicted by a Santa Barbara Country grand jury yesterday (Apr 21, 2004) and is reportedly due to appear for arraignment on April 30, MSNBC television said, quoting Santa Barbara County sheriff's department sources.

Jackson was arrested in November on charges that he molested a 12-year-old boy about a year ago in Santa Barbara County North of Los Angeles.

Under those charges, he faces seven counts of child abuse and two of plying the boy with alcohol in order to seduce him.

The grand jury indictment brings additional charges.

In 13 days of testimony, the grand jury heard from a psychologist, Jackson's accuser, and the accuser's mother and father, MSNBC said.

The grand jury heard this second set of charges in secret with no defence attorneys present, to determine if there was enough evidence to go to trial.

Jackson has dismissed the accusations as "a big lie" aimed at extorting money from him.

Earlier yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reported that California prosecutors had been considering charging some of Jackson's associates with conspiracy and obstruction of justice for allegedly threatening the family of the boy accusing the pop star of molesting him.