Archive · 30 Jun 2025
Russian Sect Leader Jailed for Harming Followers
In Russia, a man named Sergei Torop, who said he was Jesus, was sent to prison for 12 years.
He led a religious group where people lived and followed his rules, such as not eating meat or using money.
The court found that he and his helpers hurt their followers' health and took their money.
They made the followers feel bad and caused them harm.
The court ordered them to pay money to those they hurt.
Sergei Torop, leader of the Church of the Last Testament, sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Torop, known as Vissarion, claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
He and two aides convicted of causing harm to followers' health and finances.
Followers were instructed to abstain from meat, smoking, alcohol, and money.
Court ordered Torop and his aides to pay 40 million roubles in compensation.
- Who
- Sergei Torop, also known as Vissarion, and two aides.
- What
- Sergei Torop, leader of a religious sect, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- When
- The sentencing occurred on Monday.
- Where
- A court in Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Why
- Convicted of harming followers' health and financial affairs.
Followers
Russian Investigative Committee
Vissarion's Role
Followers
Believed in Vissarion's teachings and considered him a spiritual leader.
Russian Investigative Committee
Court found that Vissarion caused moral and physical harm.
- Defendant
- Sergei Torop (Vissarion)
- Sentence
- 12 years in a maximum-security prison camp
- Charge
- Harming followers' health and financial affairs
- Location of Church
- Krasnoyarsk region, Siberia
- Compensation
- 40 million roubles
- Year founded
- 1991