Italian cult leader arrested

Italian police yesterday arrested the head of a New Age cult in Rome for allegedly raping young girls and defrauding their parents of money. Danilo Speranza, the 62-year-old leader of the 1,000-strong Re Maya cult, was arrested for alleged sexual abuse...

Italian police yesterday arrested the head of a New Age cult in Rome for allegedly raping young girls and defrauding their parents of money.

Danilo Speranza, the 62-year-old leader of the 1,000-strong Re Maya cult, was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of minors and fraud, and may also face charges of enslavement, the city's top equal opportunities official said in a statement.

Citing depositions from a number of victims, Lavinia Mennuni said that the "repulsive character" was accused of raping at least 20 girls aged between 10 and 12.

The investigation began more than a year ago after two children went to an abuse shelter in Rome to report the sexual violence they had endured, according to the Ansa news agency.

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