The Buenos Aires Yoga School,which operated for more than 30 years in Argentina’s capital under the leadership of 84-year-old Juan Percowicz,did not actually offer yoga classes. Instead,it lured in people with promises of eternal happiness before it exploited them sexually and financially,prosecutors say.
The investigation into the group revealed that opera star Placido Domingo had contact with the organisation’s leaders for more than two decades.
Lijo ruled that 14 of the 19 people indicted will be remanded in custody and an embargo has been placed on their assets. Prosecutors had requested indictments of 20 people.
Law enforcement officials continue to search for six suspects believed to be in the United States,where the school had offices in New York,Las Vegas and Chicago.
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In his resolution,Lijo says the school tricked vulnerable people to join,noting leaders preyed particularly on those who were underage or had serious health problems,including addictions. People were wooed to join with promises of healing and support,but were later exploited,often sexually,for the benefit of the organisation’s leaders.
The group operated by cutting students off from the outside world by giving them living quarters,work within the organisation and making sure they started socialising exclusively with people who were part of the organisation.