Translated material
In Kuban, the leader of a totalitarian sect was sentenced to 20 years
In Krasnodar, a court sentenced 66-year-old Oleg Garmash to 20 years in a maximum security colony. He was found guilty of creating the totalitarian sect “School of Life” and sexualized violence against adherents – women and girls, including minors. After his release, Garmash was banned from working with children for 20 years. How the totalitarian sect functioned in Krasnodar for more than 20 years and whether the security forces knew about it is unknown.
Oleg Garmash was detained by FSB officers in 2024. According to investigators, the “School of Life” has been operating since 2005 under the guise of a psychological support club. Those who turned for help faced psychological violence and subjugation. Then Garmash, as follows from the court report , announced a complete rejection of traditional morality. According to investigators, he forced his followers to cohabitate, two of them were minors at that time.
The investigation also found that Garmash isolated followers from relatives, explaining that contacts with loved ones “contaminate the birth stream and attract demons.” He publicly humiliated and boycotted those who violated the ban. Garmash himself did not work and lived at the expense of the adherents. In total, 25 people were injured by his actions.
- State Duma deputy from the Krasnodar Territory Yuri Napso, who left Russia, was arrested in absentia in the case of raping his assistant. In February, the Investigative Committee canceled the decision to initiate a criminal case against him due to procedural violations: the investigation was limited by Napso’s status as a member of the precinct election commission. The investigation has now resumed.