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Police have uncovered an alleged 'sex cult' in northern Italy whose female followers were brainwashed and abused by a 77-year-old man known only as The Doctor.
Officers carried out raids on Sunday against the group, based in the town of Novara, near Milan, on suspicion of slavery and sexual abuse, including of young girls.
Police say the leader of the cult, who they have not named, used a series of businesses including dance schools, herbalists, craft shops and a publishing house to lure in vulnerable and often wealthy women who he would then indoctrinate.
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Officers carried out raids on houses and businesses belonging to the group - which included two dance schools, herbalists, craft shops and a publishing house
As part of their indoctrination they would be subjected to 'unbearable violence and abuse of all kinds', police said.
Officers say the group was structured like a pyramid, with a cabal of the most loyal followers closest to The Doctor, with those who expressed skepticism in his beliefs towards the bottom.
The women referred to each-other as 'beasts' who were not allowed to know or speak their leader's name, Il Messaggero reports.
Among those who were most loyal to the god-like figure were psychologists, who helped identify other women to indoctrinate.
'Sex cult' led by man, 77, for 30 years uncovered in Italy | Daily Mail Online
‘Sex cult’ of 77-year-old man discovered near Milan, Italy
Officers carried out raids on Sunday against the group, based in the town of Novara, near Milan, on suspicion of slavery and sexual abuse, including of young girls.
Police say the leader of the cult, who they have not named, used a series of businesses including dance schools, herbalists, craft shops and a publishing house to lure in vulnerable and often wealthy women who he would then indoctrinate.
+4
Officers carried out raids on houses and businesses belonging to the group - which included two dance schools, herbalists, craft shops and a publishing house
As part of their indoctrination they would be subjected to 'unbearable violence and abuse of all kinds', police said.
Officers say the group was structured like a pyramid, with a cabal of the most loyal followers closest to The Doctor, with those who expressed skepticism in his beliefs towards the bottom.
The women referred to each-other as 'beasts' who were not allowed to know or speak their leader's name, Il Messaggero reports.
Among those who were most loyal to the god-like figure were psychologists, who helped identify other women to indoctrinate.
'Sex cult' led by man, 77, for 30 years uncovered in Italy | Daily Mail Online
‘Sex cult’ of 77-year-old man discovered near Milan, Italy
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