The mayor of a small commune in Côtes-d'Armor, suspected of leading a sect-like group, was placed in pre-trial detention on Thursday. In his twenties, he is accused of demanding total devotion from some women and coercing sexual acts. The case began with a complaint in 2022 in Mayenne.
Toulon prosecutor Raphaël Balland announced that the mayor, recently elected in March municipal elections in a small Côtes-d'Armor commune, was placed in pre-trial detention on Thursday. In his twenties, he is suspected of having «dirigé un groupe sectaire». Ouest France identified him as Tréogan's mayor.
The case started in 2022 when a 21-year-old student filed a complaint in Mayenne. She accused a man of threatening her with death if she left a social media discussion group pitched as for «high intellectual potential» individuals. Toulon prosecutors describe the group as hierarchically structured, promising access to the «fifth ultimate level of instruction» through the leader's teachings, who allegedly demanded «total devotion» from some women, recognizing him as «the absolute» and «the divine».
Investigators identified five other young women as potential victims, including one who was 17 at the time. Two refused to file complaints. The suspect allegedly imposed intrusive control over their personal and intimate lives and demanded financial contributions, from a few hundred to nearly 30,000 euros for one. One claims she endured «sexual acts under constraint» and psychological violence.
Presented to a judge at Saint-Brieuc liberty and detention court on Thursday, he awaits transfer to Toulon's investigating magistrate for potential charges and a detention decision.