GERMANY: Self-proclaimed guru Oliver Shanti facing trial for at least 314 cases of sexually abusing children

Record ID: 817137

  • Title: GERMANY: Self-proclaimed guru Oliver Shanti facing trial for at least 314 cases of sexually abusing children
  • Date: 27th August 2009
  • Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (AUGUST 26, 2009) (REUTERS) PAN DOWN: EXTERIOR MUNICH COURTHOUSE INTERIOR COURT ROOM ATTORNEYS IN ROBES BOOK BY THE ACCUSED OLIVER SHANTI ***FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ACCUSED OLIVER SHANTI IN WHITE SCRUBS AND PROTECTIVE MASK BEING LEAD INSIDE VARIOUS OF SHANTI IN GLASS CAGE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERA CREWS FILMING JUDGES SITTING DOWN SENIOR PROSECUTOR ANTON WINKLER TALKING TO PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (German) SENIOR PROSECUTOR ANTON WINKLER, SAYING: "He is accused of at least 314 cases of sexually abusing children from 1985 to 1998." WINKLER'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) SENIOR PROSECUTOR ANTON WINKLER, SAYING: "He acted like a saint whom everyone had to follow, the adults, as well, very very much under his servitude, they could not help but follow him. They were basically trapped and could not leave the area easily. That was a possible reason that the children of the sect members were lead to the accused without the parents objecting." CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE) (German) SENIOR PROSECUTOR ANTON WINKLER, SAYING: "He was healed but caught a resistent germ, that is why we had to take protective measures." JOURNALISTS WAITING
  • Embargoed: 11th September 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA6S3WFXJNZB1Z6UVDKQLSNDXRS
  • Story Text: A man who is accused of at least 314 cases of sexually abusing children was in court in Bavaria's capital Munich on Wednesday (August 26).
    The man, who calls himself Oliver Shanti, was isolated in the courtroom inside a glass box because he is infected with a resistant germ that has proved dangerous and highly infectuous to other people.
    Shanti, who was born Ulrich Schulz, has since the 1970s gathered a group of supporters around him who regard him a spiritual leader, according to the prosecution.
    "He acted like a saint whom everyone had to follow, the adults, as well, very very much under his servitude, they could not help but follow him" said senior prosecutor Anton Winkler. "They were basically trapped and could not leave the area easily. That was a possible reason that the children of the sect members were lead to the accused without the parents objecting."
    Initially, the group camped out in Bavaria before moving to Portugal. Their income was mostly earned with the production and publication of religious music.
    Shanti was arrested in Portugal in June.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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