Alien from Sirius: Konstantin Rudnev, founder of the Shambhala Ashram sect, was detained

Konstantin Rudnev, the head of the Shambhala Ashram, a totalitarian sect banned in Russia, was taken into custody in Argentina. The man is known for posing as an "alien from Sirius" and attracting young people to his sect with occultism, illegal substances and sexual orgies. In 2013, Rudnev was convicted in a case of rape, indecent acts and drugs, and was released in October 2021. Now the man is again suspected of violence against people. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

What is known about the detention of Konstantin Rudnev

In Argentina, 14 people were detained at the airports of San Carlos de Bariloche and Buenos Aires, 13 of whom are Russian citizens. Among them was Konstantin Rudnev, the founder of the Ashram Shambhala sect, banned in the Russian Federation, which previously had, according to various estimates, from 10 to 20 thousand followers, and its activities were recorded in 20 Russian regions, including the capital.

The Argentine police drew attention to the Russians after a pregnant underage girl from the Russian Federation went to a local hospital. There were signs of violence on the girl's body, and the patient herself came accompanied by two women who forbade her to speak, and after giving birth they tore up the document with the name of the child's father. This behavior aroused suspicion among the doctors, and they contacted the police. Law enforcement agencies have suggested that the situation may be related to human trafficking.

The investigation revealed that a sect cell operated in the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, which allegedly conducted yoga courses. The cost of participation is about $5 thousand. During further searches, Rudnev's documents were found, confirming his presence in the region.

On March 22, he was accompanied by six women, only one of whom is an Argentine citizen, at Bariloche Airport, waiting for a flight to Buenos Aires to transfer to Brazil. The police detained them there. Also, several followers of the Ashram of Shambhala were arrested at the airport of the capital of Argentina.

It is specified that during the arrest Konstantin Rudnev tried to commit suicide with a razor, but he was stopped. He and other detainees, mostly Russians, are currently in custody. All of them, according to media reports, look "emaciated and almost bald," as the sect has approved a system of forced starvation: adherents ate after higher-ranking members in the cult hierarchy.

The Russian Embassy in Argentina has been informed of the detention of a group of people, presumably with Russian citizenship, who are suspected of involvement in human trafficking.

"There are 13 people on the transferred list. They did not apply for consular assistance. We are closely following this story and looking into what happened," the diplomats said.

The Shambhala Ashram Sect: about religion and drugs

The Shambhala Ashram sect was founded by Konstantin Rudnev in 1989 in Novosibirsk. From 1990 to 2010, its branches operated in 20 regions of the Russian Federation.

The organization included several correspondence schools that teach, among other things, "contact with extraterrestrial organizations," shamanism, healing, and the acquisition of occult abilities and magic.

Rudnev himself, a graduate of the engineering college, claimed to be an "alien from Sirius" and demanded to be called "The Great Shaman Sri Jnana Avatar Muni", who would lead his followers to "purification" and a "bright future."

The cult attracted young people, mostly minors, through "the occult, drugs, and sexual orgies." Women were forced to dance naked and subjected to psychological control. In addition, classes cost money, so sectarians often lost their property.

Already in 1999, the prosecutor's office of the Novosibirsk region opened a criminal case against Rudnev under Article 239 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Organization of an association encroaching on the personality and rights of citizens"). Then it was revealed that the sect was engaged in extortion, child molestation, and sexual violence, but its leader managed to escape for five years. The investigation was suspended.

In the following years, Konstantin Rudnev was repeatedly tried to be prosecuted, but the followers of the Ashram Shambhala refused to testify against him. In 2008, the man was once again admitted to a psychiatric hospital, but he was soon released from there.

In the fall of 2010, the leader of the totalitarian religious organization was nevertheless detained. He was convicted under four articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including rape, illegal drug trafficking and the creation of an association that infringes on the rights and freedoms of citizens. Rudnev was sentenced to 11 years of strict regime, which he served in full.

In 2021, the "alien from Sirius" was released and left Russia. Last year, traces of the "Ashram of Shambhala" were discovered in Montenegro, where Rudnev moved. Local authorities have also put him on the wanted list.

How to recruit into a totalitarian sect

According to the investigators, the members of the Shambhala Ashram had a strong psychological and emotional impact. They were forced to leave their homes, stop contacting their loved ones, and follow the norms and practices of the sect, even if they went beyond the bounds of public morality.

Former followers of Rudnev's teachings admitted that within an organization, a person's personality completely disappears, and he ceases to perceive the surrounding reality. An ordinary sectarian does not have time for thought—practice in the morning, at lunch, in the evening. Every day it is necessary to participate in various trainings, karma yoga classes and penances. All this is aimed at destroying critical thinking and creates the illusion of constant employment.

Those who do not belong to the sect are called "mice" by its followers and are considered "possessed by demons" living in darkness.

A former member of the sect, in a conversation with Izvestia, revealed the organization's recruitment methods. The woman was invited to a trial seminar, after which she regularly came to such meetings. Over time, communication with the outside world faded away.

"After six years of attending seminars, I started helping with the organization, and then gradually severed all ties with the social world. I was led to this," she shared.

Modern methods of recruitment in the sect have changed: now people are lured through social networks, promising money, happiness and harmony in their personal lives after undergoing special "women's practices" and Tarot readings.

At this point, the woman is "hooked" on an emotional swing, they begin to overwhelm, intimidate and overwhelm again, telling her that she is damaged and that she needs to change her life. "And the woman, having heard enough of these scares and praises, comes to the organizer's class," the ex-participant of the Shambhala Ashram shared.

Further, if a woman pays, regularly participates in seminars and does not ask unnecessary questions, she is invited to private events where mentors offer group rituals and "advanced" practices.

The Ashram of Shambhala is a totalitarian sect banned in Russia.