Justin Bieber Photog -- I'm Not a Witch, Hag, or Whore ... Despite My Nickname

There were no spells cast on Justin Bieber during his violent face-off with a paparazzo -- and the photog wants to make that crystal clear when he takes Bieber to court.

Sounds strange, but the pap -- Jose Osmin Hernandez Duran -- just filed docs requesting his nickname be left out of the trial. He's accusing Bieber of assaulting him back in May, 2012 at the Calabasas Commons.

Duran's nickname is "Bruja" -- a Spanish handle loosely translated to ... witch, hag or sorceress. According to Bruja's attorney, the nickname relates somehow to his appearance -- but there's no evidence he actually "practices witchcraft."

Glad that's cleared up.

One other translation of "Bruja" is ... whore. The docs make no specific denial of that word.