John de Ruiter, the self-proclaimed chief of the Edmonton-based Faculty of Built-in Philosophy of Oasis Group, was granted bail underneath strict situations on Friday.
The 63-year-old man who police described as a “self-styled” and “self-appointed” non secular chief appeared earlier than a decide by way of CCTV on the Edmonton Magistrates’ Courts, the place greater than 30 of his supporters appeared for the listening to arrived.
His spouse and two sons watched in particular person from the gallery within the courtroom.
de Ruiter was arrested final weekend and charged with sexually assaulting 4 complainants in separate incidents between 2017 and 2020.
John de Ruiter, self-appointed non secular chief of Oasis Group in Edmonton. On January 21, 2023, charged with 4 counts of sexual assault.
Credit score: https://johnderuiter.com/
He’s accused of telling ladies that they’d obtain non secular enlightenment by having intercourse with him.
Police have been informed that the accused “knowledgeable sure feminine group members that he had been informed by a spirit to interact in sexual exercise with them, and that sexual exercise with him would supply them with a possibility to achieve a state of upper being or attaining non secular enlightenment. .”
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De Ruiter was granted bail on the next situations:
- He was launched on $30,000 money bail
- No contact with any of 4 complainants or their quick relations, even by different folks
- Can’t be inside 100 meters of any office or residence of any complainant
- Should deposit his passport together with his lawyer
- Can’t be alone with any girl apart from his spouse, daughter or quick relations besides with the supervision of a accountable grownup who is just not his spouse
Protection lawyer Dino Bottos couldn’t communicate to the small print of the bail software as a result of it’s lined by a publication ban, however did handle the character of the case on Friday.
“This can be a distinctive state of affairs as a result of the frequent allegation is that these ladies who’ve come ahead in opposition to John (de Ruiter) have in actual fact consented to sexual exercise with him, however now declare years later that their consent was actually void and isn’t legitimate. as a result of they have been someway put underneath his spell,” Bottos mentioned.
Felony protection lawyer Dino Bottos spoke to the media on Friday, January 27, 2023 concerning the John de Ruiter case exterior the Edmonton regulation courts.
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Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in court docket.
The Oasis Group operated from the Oasis Constructing in west Edmonton – at 109 Avenue and 177 Road – from 2007 to 2021.
Police mentioned de Ruiter “presently holds conferences at an workplace constructing on St. Albert Path in St. Albert, and presents non secular retreats out of a campground close to Smith, Alta.”
Bottos mentioned de Ruiter might nonetheless maintain his conferences, however couldn’t maintain them with any opponents or the complainants.
Constructing the place John de Ruiter occasions have been scheduled 214 St Albert Path. January 23, 2023.
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Stephen Kent is a professor emeritus within the division of sociology on the College of Alberta who has been following de Ruiter and Oasis for many years.
He mentioned followers “consider that de Ruiter is the dwelling embodiment of reality and that being round him and attempting to comply with his teachings will result in their very own non secular enlightenment and progress.”
Kent estimates there are fewer than 400 devoted followers — some in Edmonton, some additional north and around the globe.
He mentioned usually, in teams like this, a non secular chief utilizing claims of development as a motive for members to have intercourse with them is quite common.
“Consent could be very difficult when the particular person committing the sexual acts has a management or belief relationship – an influence relationship – over the focused people,” he informed International Information earlier this week.
The case has the potential to set a precedent, Kent believes.
EPS investigators consider there could also be different victims and are asking them to come back ahead.
Police might be reached at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Nameless info can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or on-line.
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