Sergei Torop, known as Vissarion, a former traffic officer who founded the Church of the Last Testament in 1991 after what he described as a divine revelation, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for religious fraud. The court ruled that his organization engaged in deceptive practices, including the distribution of false prophecies and the exploitation of followers’ resources. Torop’s cult, which claimed to be preparing for an apocalyptic event, gained a following primarily in Siberia and parts of Western Russia. The sentencing comes after an investigation revealed that the church’s activities were based on a complex network of financial schemes.
The case has sparked debates about the regulation of religious organizations in Russia, with critics arguing that the government’s actions may be an attempt to suppress dissenting groups. Legal experts say that the ruling could set a precedent for how the country handles similar cases in the future. Meanwhile, followers of the church have expressed outrage, claiming that the court’s decision is a form of persecution against their spiritual beliefs. The trial also highlighted the challenges in distinguishing between legitimate religious practices and fraudulent activities, raising questions about the role of the state in monitoring such groups.