Israeli police have arrested a suspected cult leader who is believed to have fathered dozens of children by as many as 30 women. He is being held on suspicion of rape, slavery and incest.
Israeli police have arrested a suspected cult leader who is believed to have fathered dozens of children by as many as 30 women. He is being held on suspicion of rape, slavery and incest.
Goel Ratzon (59) brainwashed the women into staying with him in squalid, overcrowded flats in Tel Aviv, police claimed.
Ratzon was arrested on Tuesday, when police raided three apartments, where they found 17 women and 39 children.
Two women were arrested on suspicion that they co-operated with Ratzon or witnessed his crimes. The 15 others were transferred to homes for abused women along with their children.
His "wives" were not allowed to communicate with men, eat meat, smoke, drink alcohol or dress immodestly, according to a rulebook found in one of the flats.
They would be fined if they argued, gossiped or asked Ratzon where he was going. The children, who all bear Ratzon's first name,u00a0 were expected to kiss his feet when he visited.
In a documentary, the self-styled spiritual guru claimed to have 89 children by more than 30 women.
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In it, some of the women said they would commit mass suicide if anyone tried to harm their leader, who they viewed as the saviour of the universe.
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