By Blessing Nweke
French police have apprehended Gregorian Bivolaru, the 71-year-old leader of the yoga sect Misa, also known as Atman. The arrest follows a months-long investigation initiated by French prosecutors in July, focusing on allegations of abuse, rape, human trafficking, and kidnapping within the group.
Early morning raids, executed by 175 officers across various branches of the sect, uncovered distressing conditions for 26 women reportedly held against their will. According to AFP news agency, the arrested individuals include not only Bivolaru but also other prominent sect leaders. The Central Office for the Repression of Violence against Persons (OCVRP) orchestrated the coordinated raids in response to victim complaints detailing women subjected to captivity.
Bivolaru, convicted in absentia in Romania in 2013 for sexual misconduct with a minor, was apprehended at a residence in the Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine. He had previously fled Romania in 2017 after being conditionally released. Additionally, Bivolaru faces charges in Finland related to human trafficking.
The sect, initially named the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (Misa), was founded by Bivolaru in Romania during the 1990s. Over time, it evolved into Atman, expanding its reach to nearly 30 countries while advocating “erotic tantric yoga.”
Allegations against the sect include claims of forced sex, participation in pornography, and financial exploitation. Former members recount experiences where Bivolaru, self-styled as a guru, compelled followers to engage in sexual acts and relinquish substantial sums of money. Bivolaru has consistently denied accusations of criminal activity, with the Atman International Federation for Yoga and Meditation dismissing past allegations as “fabricated facts” on its website.
Notably, Bivolaru authored a book on tantric yoga and relationships in 2010, portraying himself as a teenager achieving “psycho-mental accomplishments” deemed paranormal. His yoga teachings date back to 1978.
The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the activities of the Misa/Atman group, shedding light on the alleged exploitation and abuse within the organization. As legal proceedings unfold, authorities are expected to delve deeper into the extent of the criminal activities attributed to Bivolaru and his followers.