In Argentina, the founder of a famous school for self-development and yoga was accused of organizing a "sex cult", reports New York Times.
Buenos Aires Yoga School, also known as BAYS, has been run by former accountant Juan Perkovic for over 30 years. In the past he taught popular self-help courses in Buenos Aires, where he taught the basics of ancient philosophy mixed with New Age spiritualism
BAYS was created with donations from students in these courses.
Perkovic is already 85 years old. He and several dozen members of BAYS are accused of organizing a “sex cult”. According to the investigators, the participants were drugged and forced into prostitution. BAYS also ran an underground clinic where students were given drugs to induce prolonged sleep. Sometimes this was done as a punishment.
„There are cults in Argentina, but we have not seen them operating at this level,” said investigator Ricardo Houri. He led police raids on BAYS properties that turned up more than a million dollars in cash, five gold bars, stashes of pornographic films, American bank check books and records of wealthy people, including those living in the United States.
According to prosecutors, BAYS victims included seven underage girls brought into the organization by their parents. They were also forced into prostitution. The alleged victims themselves deny that they had sex for money and that they were willing or unwilling participants in the crimes.
Attorneys for Perkovich and current members of BAYS have denied all allegations, arguing that no one in the organization was exploited. They believe that targeting the organization is retaliation for personal reasons.