Konstantin Rudnev: Russian cult leader jailed for sex abuse

Konstantin Rudnev, 45, was convicted in a closed trial in Siberia of rape, drug trafficking, sexual assault and "creating an organisation that infringes on people's personality and rights".

It was the end of an extraordinary and bizarre journey for the self-proclaimed prophet, who also went under the moniker Great Shaman Shri Dzhnan Avatar Muni.

The former steelworker founded his strict, hierarchical cult called Ashram Shambala in the city of Novosibirsk in the late 1980s, cheating converts out of their belongings in exchange for a potpourri of esoteric and occultist teachings and the chance to "clean their energy channels" in mystical rituals.

The cult grew rapidly, acquiring up to 20,000 followers at ashrams across Russia.

Acolytes, who often thought they were signing up for yoga practice, were urged to use drugs and take part in orgies that often centred on Rudnev. They were fed thin soup and vegetables and reportedly had to ask permission to go to the lavatory.

Video footage of the group shows scantily-clad female inductees chanting and making stabbing movements with a knife in each hand. In another scene, topless women dance around the guru, who sits impassively wearing a pair of dark glasses and a shiny tunic with large shoulder pads.

Rudnev's teachings were laid down in a book called "The Way of a Fool" which urged followers to reject a conventional lifestyle of work, study and having children.

Followers of the cult were persuaded to sell their apartments and cars and hand over the cash, while breaking links with their relatives.

"Psychological pressure was put on the adherents," said Irina Zebrova, a Federal Security Service (FSB) spokesperson. "They were forced to unquestioningly follow the commands of the leader of the sect. People were punished with lack of food and sleep."

Rudnev was originally arrested in 1999, but he escaped from a psychiatric hospital after being sent for checks. He was detained again in 2005 but his followers refused to give evidence against him.

The charlatan was finally arrested by police and FSB operatives in 2010, when a packet of heroin was found in his pocket.

Fifteen of his devotees then decided to testify against him.

Rudnev denied all charges during the one and a half year trial in Novosibirsk and claimed the drugs were found in his pocket because he put on someone else's trousers by mistake. He told the court he was "an extra-terrestrial from Sirius, sent to Earth to enlighten people and lead them to the truth."

The court on Thursday sentenced Rudnev to 11 years in a high security prison and ordered him to pay 3.7m roubles (£80,000) compensation to his victims. The payments are expected to be made from the sale of eight cars and two houses confiscated from the guru, who said he would appeal the verdict.

Russia has a long history of obscure cults and sects. One of the most famous current leaders is Vissarion, a long-haired former traffic policeman who is said to resemble Jesus and who lives with his followers in a community called Sun City on a hill near Krasnoyarsk.