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THE high priest of a religious cult faced court today
charged with two counts of rape and two counts of indecent
assault on a female member of another cult.
The 32-year-old Melbourne man, who works for an Internet
company, did not speak during a brief appearance in
the Southport Magistrates Court.
However in extradition proceedings last week, the Melbourne
Magistrates Court was told that the man was the leader
of the Brisbane-based religious group and he was duty
bound to have sex with his high priestess.
The court was told that the man, who cannot be named
under Queensland law, and a member of another cult allegedly
raped the woman twice in 1997.
Investigators said the woman, aged 22 or 23 at the
time, also would allege that she was to be used as a
human sacrifice.
The accused man has denied the charges. His Melbourne
lawyer Mr Ern Burrows said the case relied on the suppressed
memory of the alleged victim and he welcomed the opportunity
to clear his client's name.
His Queensland lawyer Bill Potts requested an adjournment
stating that there was "a large brief of evidence" relating
to the case.
The man was bailed on his own undertaking and was not
required to appear in court when the case was next scheduled
for mention on December 29.
According to the cult's official website, the group
practices witchcraft and generally takes in 10 new members
a year.
AAP
- 13/11/2000
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