Val di Susa, "sexual therapy": violence, child abuse, and money. The sect's "Master" is in prison.

The investigation by the Carabinieri of the Turin Investigative Unit, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, has led to the pre-trial detention of a 59-year-old man identified as the "Master" of a pseudo-spiritual community active in the lower Susa Valley. According to the charges, yoga, meditation, and martial arts courses allegedly developed a system of psychological subjugation, coercion at work, and sexual abuse. Three collaborators are also under investigation at large.

Turin, October 1, 2026 – A pseudo-spiritual community in the lower Susa Valley, organized around the figure of a 59-year-old man who presented himself as a "Master" endowed with supernatural powers and in contact with the "Divine Mother." This is the picture that emerged from Operation Asmodeo , the investigation conducted by the Carabinieri of the Turin Investigative Unit under the coordination of the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office, headed by Prosecutor Giovanni Bombardieri.

The main suspect has been placed under preventive detention in prison , while three other people – two women and a man – are under investigation at large.

Don't miss the latest news from La Milano: Add us to your favorite sources on Google in just one click.

The investigation, launched in March 2024 and still ongoing , has allowed investigators to document a system in which people considered particularly vulnerable were progressively inserted into a structure characterized, according to the prosecution's hypothesis, by psychological manipulation, obedience to the "Master", the surrender of their assets, forced labor and alleged sexual abuse.

The “Master” and the alleged system of control over the followers

According to investigators, the 59-year-old claimed to possess supernatural powers and approached people through activities apparently related to yoga, meditation, and martial arts.

Once the relationship was established, he would also propose shamanic and ritual therapies , presented to the followers as tools capable of alleviating their suffering or even healing them.

The investigations would have revealed a system of strong psychological subjugation , in which the main suspect would have exercised a particularly extensive control over the people included in the community.

The 59-year-old is said to have proclaimed himself “the chosen one” , claiming to be in contact with what he called the “Divine Mother”.

The community in the lower Susa Valley and the vow of poverty

The man is said to have created a residential community in the lower Susa Valley , which hosted mainly women, defined by the "Master" as "nuns" or "adepts".

According to the investigative hypothesis, the women were forced to take a vow of obedience and poverty , resulting in the payment of all their possessions to the 59-year-old.

A central element of the investigation concerns the conditions of the alleged victims.

The people approached were often affected by personal problems or illnesses which, according to the investigative reconstruction, would have made them more vulnerable to manipulation and conditioning mechanisms.

Three collaborators under investigation

In addition to the main suspect, three collaborators are involved in the investigation , two women and a man, all of whom are under investigation at large.

One of the two women is said to have been a "Teacher ," while the other is a professional psychologist . Her actual role within the facility is still under investigation.

According to the reconstruction, the two women would have managed the community mainly from a logistical perspective.

The third collaborator is instead indicated as a “Monk” and massage therapist.

The alleged "sexual therapies" practiced by the "Monk"

According to investigators, the employee identified as “Monaco” allegedly performed paid “sexual therapy” exclusively for female clients.

According to the investigative hypothesis, the services were offered by exploiting moments of mourning or particularly vulnerable conditions of the women.

This is one of the most delicate aspects of the investigation, which aims to reconstruct the overall functioning of the community and the individual responsibilities of those involved.

Allegations of sexual assault against minors

The situation contested by the 59-year-old is particularly serious.

According to the reconstruction by investigators of the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Turin, the “Master” also sexually abused minor victims.

The young women were allegedly subjected to repeated acts of sexual violence , which were presented as alleged “purifying therapies”.

For the main suspect, the Prosecutor's Office requested the most serious precautionary measure, namely pre-trial detention in prison , which was subsequently ordered as part of the preliminary investigations.

The charge of aggravated fraud against the State

The charges against the 59-year-old also include aggravated fraud against the State.

According to investigators, the man feigned his inability to walk , thus misleading the INPS medical commission.

The 59-year-old is therefore said to have unduly received over 80 thousand euros in disability pension.

This aspect also falls within the complex of objections raised during the investigation.

An investigation started in March 2024 and is still ongoing

Operation Asmodeo stems from an investigative activity that began in March 2024 and is still ongoing.

The investigators' goal is to fully reconstruct the functioning of the community, the relationships between the "Master," his collaborators, and the people who were allegedly involved, as well as verifying in detail the individual contested incidents.

The scenario described by investigators therefore encompasses several levels: from the alleged psychological manipulation of followers to the sale of assets, from coercion at work to sexual abuse, up to the alleged fraud against the INPS.