In a shocking development, French police apprehended renowned yoga guru Gregorian Bivolaru, along with 41 others, on accusations of kidnap, rape, and human trafficking. The arrests took place during raids conducted in Paris and several other areas of France on Tuesday.

According to a judicial source, the alleged victims were drawn in by promises of a spiritual awakening, only to be indoctrinated and mentally manipulated into engaging in sexual relations with Bivolaru, who is 71 years old. The source further revealed that 26 of these alleged victims were discovered living in deplorable conditions.

Bivolaru gained notoriety as the founder of the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA) in Romania in 1990 before it evolved into Atman - the International Federation of Yoga and Meditation. French prosecutors and a website associated with Bivolaru confirmed this information.

When approached for comment, MISA denied any wrongdoing and claimed that Bivolaru had not taught yoga since 1995 nor founded Atman. A press release attributed to the board of Atman Federation, posted on their website, described the arrests as a "slanderous witch-hunt against genuine spirituality," emphasizing that the federation should not be held accountable for the private lives of its members.

Bivolaru, who was already subject to an Interpol warrant, appeared in court alongside others on Friday, as reported by sources close to the case. AFP cited one source stating that Bivolaru claimed to be the victim of a political plot.

The investigation into Bivolaru and the alleged crimes began in July 2023 after reports from former MISA members were submitted to the Human Rights League, a French non-governmental organization. The Paris public prosecutor's office later referred the case to the Central Office for Repression of Violence Against People (OCRVP), a French government agency specializing in investigating alleged sects.

The judicial source revealed that numerous women from different nationalities came forward as victims of MISA and its leader, Gregorian B. The victims claimed that they were lured into the organization through tantra yoga, a branch of yoga focused on spiritual awakening through sexuality. They alleged being mentally manipulated into accepting non-consensual sexual relations, with consent being discouraged as hindering their spiritual progress.

Moreover, victims reportedly stated that they were coerced into engaging in sexual relations with Bivolaru and subscribing to pornographic practices in exchange for a fee, both in France and abroad.

The police operation involved a total of 175 French officers, leading to Bivolaru's arrest, along with the discovery of 26 alleged victims living in cramped and unhygienic conditions.

Gregorian Bivolaru's network of yoga schools, known as MISA, expanded worldwide and claimed to be the largest yoga school in Europe. With over 250 locations in Romania and 33 other countries, the school boasted a practice base of approximately 35,000 individuals. Bivolaru, referred to as the school's "spiritual mentor," was extradited from France in 2016 after being convicted of raping a minor in Romania.

Notably, Bivolaru remains on Interpol's wanted list for charges of aggravated human trafficking in Finland, a crime for which he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

The investigation into the allegations against Bivolaru and the subsequent arrests mark a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the alleged victims. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and holding responsible those who exploit their trust in the name of spirituality.