Investigations into an alleged sect in Turin: Bruno Antonio Malatesta arrested in the 'Asmodeo' operation

The investigations into the alleged pseudo-spiritual sect led, according to investigators, by Bruno Antonio Malatesta, 59, arrested by the carabinieri in the 'Asmodeo' operation, began after several complaints, some of which were subsequently withdrawn. The first ones date back to 2017. According to what was reconstructed by the investigators, Malatesta promised his followers healing even from oncological diseases. The people approached often found themselves in difficult or vulnerable conditions.

Some would have been recruited during yoga courses open to all. The followers lived in terraced houses registered in the name of companies which, according to investigations, were indirectly attributable to the fifty-nine year old. They wore orange robes and shaved their heads. Everyone would have been asked to take a vow of poverty, while women defined as 'nuns' and 'handmaids' would also have been required to take a vow of chastity in their relationships with their partners or husbands, but not with the holy man. In the system reconstructed by the investigators, corporal punishment or sleeping on the floor would also have been foreseen.

The complaints also include alleged sexual abuse of minors: the victims were teenagers aged 16 and 17 at the time of the events. Malatesta is in prison in Lorusso and Cutugno on charges of enslavement, family mistreatment, aggravated sexual violence and aggravated fraud against the State. The investigation is coordinated by Turin deputy prosecutor Davide Pretti.