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Russian sect in Bariloche: who is its leader and what did the Justice discover | Camara La Derecha Diario
ARGENTINA

Sect in Bariloche: the former Russian soldier and his group remain detained

The former Russian soldier and the women joining him will remain detained in Bariloche while the investigation progresses

by

Editorial Team

Konstantin Rudnev, former Russian soldier, will remain detained in Bariloche along with other women who accompanied him. The Justice is investigating whether he led a sect linked to human trafficking.

The arrested individuals were held incommunicado in a Federal Police facility. Drugs, cell phones, and a Starlink antenna were found in the raids.

A man with a dark jersey and a bandage on his neck in front of a black background with a measuring ruler.
Konstantin Rudnev will remain detained in Bariloche | La Derecha Diario

Why are they still detained?

The federal prosecutor's office, led by Fernando Arrigo, ordered the preventive detention of 12 members of the group. The hearing where their legal situation will be defined is expected to take place next Thursday.

So far, the investigation points to possible crimes of human trafficking, subjugation, and ideological falsification. Two people were released due to lack of evidence and on the grounds that they did not pose a flight risk.

Who is Konstantin Rudnev?

Rudnev, of Russian origin, is accused of leading a spiritual facade organization that operated as a sexual exploitation network. In the past, he was sentenced in Europe to 11 years in prison for abuse and disappearance of persons.

A man is being escorted by police officers into a cell.
Rudnev operated a sexual exploitation network | La Derecha Diario

According to investigators, he charged up to 5,000 dollars for meditation and yoga courses. In Bariloche, he was arrested at the airport along with eight women showing signs of malnutrition.

The suicide attempt during detention

When captured, Rudnev attempted to cut his throat with a razor blade he carried in his wallet. He was subdued by the police, and upon searching his luggage, they found cocaine.

A group of armed security officers in tactical uniforms surrounds a handcuffed man in front of a police vehicle in an urban setting.
Rudnev attempted to cut his throat with a razor blade | La Derecha Diario

What did the Justice discover?

The detainees had purchased tickets together and shared the same destination: Brazil, with a stopover in Buenos Aires. This led to new operations at Aeroparque, where six more women were arrested.

In a raid on the house they used in Bariloche, the following were found:

  • 131 cocaine pills
  • 12 cell phones and 3 notebooks
  • A Starlink antenna and a satellite phone
  • More than 14,931 dollars and one million pesos
  • Passports and key documents for the case
A table with identification documents, passports, and credentials, alongside badges of the Argentine Airport Security Police.
The detainees had bought tickets to Brazil | La Derecha Diario

Are there trafficking victims in the group?

The Justice is trying to determine if among the detained women there are exploitation victims. The Office of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons (PROTEX) will analyze the case in the coming days.

For now, all suspects will remain detained and incommunicado until the investigations progress and new statements are made.

➡️ Argentina

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