Russian cult leader, 14 others arrested in south of Argentina
Published By admin with Comments 0
Authorities in Argentina have arrested 15 foreigners as part of an investigation into human-trafficking, including an alleged Russian cult leader, according to local news reports.
The group was arrested as they attempted to leave the country, police in the southern city of Bariloche confirmed Monday.
Among those detained was former Russian soldier Konstantin Rudnev, who was named in local press reports as the alleged leader of the sect.
In a statement, Argentina’s Airport Security Police (PSA) said the detainees belong to “an organisation suspected of engaging in human-trafficking,” which is linked to Ashram Shambala, a sect founded by Rudnev that mixes occult and esoteric teachings.
According to the PSA, the group supposedly offered meditation and yoga courses, for which it charges US$5,000 per client. However, authorities believe this may have been a front.
It did not name Rudnev, though the statement did confirm that one detainee had attempted to harm themself with a razor blade during the arrest.
Rudnev was intercepted along with eight other individuals at Bariloche airport, located 1,500km southwest of the capital.
Content retrieved from: https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/russian-cult-leader-14-others-arrested-in-south-of-argentina.phtml.
