This article was published in 2013. In September 2017, the former guru, tried for rape, was sentenced on appeal to 15 years in prison. His ex-companion Julie Baschet, who was being prosecuted for complicity, was acquitted, as at first instance. The court considered that she was under the influence and constraint of Gabriel Loison, underlines France 3 Bretagne.
A guru and his companion, accused of rape or complicity in rape and abuse of weakness on a minor and a young adult as part of “internships” in France and abroad, will be tried by the Assize Court Loire-Atlantique from Monday and for a week.
Gabriel Loison, 73, founder of “The University of Nature, Ecology and Relationships”, created in 1996 and which had around 200 followers, is the former guru of “Gardens of Life”, listed as a sect by the parliamentary committee on sects in 1995. He will appear with his companion, Julie Baschet, 39 years old.
Both were arrested in Spain on March 26, 2011, after returning from a stay in Costa Rica, and handed over to the French authorities before being indicted on April 11.
The “University of Relationships” created by Loison, owner of two houses in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique) and in Spain, organized internships in France but also abroad. The first initiatory stage of at a cost of 1,600 euros was held in Morocco for 21 days. Then came a session at 10,000 euros which lasted three weeks in Spain or Costa Rica and finally a 72-day internship in Costa Rica for 2,300 euros with tantrism and group sex, according to the testimonies.
The family of a minor aged 14 at the time (17 today), whose parents participated in the guru’s courses, filed a complaint at the end of 2010 for rape and sexual assault. Another victim, now 30 years old, also filed a complaint, in particular for rape. The two victims will be civil parties to the trial. Gabriel Loison had, before these facts, been the subject in the 1980s of criminal proceedings (manslaughter, rape) which ended in a dismissal.
But the guru must also face another procedure for rape after complaints filed by three other adult victims, procedure still in progress but which has been separated from the case which will be tried on Monday. Gabriel Loison will appear Monday for rape and corruption on 15 year old minor. His companion Julie Braschet will be tried for complicity in the rape of a 15-year-old minor. adult victim meeting.