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.
Six other arrests were made at an airport in Buenos Aires.
Among those detained are four Russians and eleven women: nine of Russian nationality, one Mexican, and one Brazilian. All were bound for São Paulo.
Rudnev, who claims to be an extraterrestrial, founded the cult in Siberia in 1989. Over time, the group expanded its reach across Russia.
The cult leader was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2013 for the sexual abuse of some of his followers.
The investigation into alleged human-trafficking began when a Russian woman arrived at a hospital in Bariloche to give birth, accompanied by multiple women. Medical staff noticed the woman appeared to be in a state of submission, which led to intervention of the federal courts.
Some of the women were extremely malnourished and had patches of baldness on their heads, indicating possible exploitation, said local police sources. Authorities are now investigating whether any of the women were victims of human-trafficking or sexual exploitation.
The detainees are currently under the custody of the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bariloche, with some facing charges of human-trafficking, exploitation, and falsification of documents.
A hearing is set for later this week to determine whether the 12 remaining detainees will be held in preventive detention.
Two individuals have already been released due to insufficient evidence.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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