▲ Sexual Assault (File Photo)
The leader of a pseudo-religious group, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in the first trial on charges of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter and a female follower after brainwashing them, has appealed the verdict.
According to the legal community today (July 24), a 68-year-old man surnamed A, who was arrested and indicted for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (forcible indecent act by relatives), quasi-quasi-rape, and false accusation, submitted an appeal to the court through his legal counsel on the 22nd.
A is known to have appealed on the grounds that the first-instance sentence was too heavy, citing his advanced age and health condition.
The prosecution also submitted an appeal, asking the court to sentence the defendant to 15 years in prison as originally sought in the first trial.
A was indicted on charges of committing quasi-rape and forcibly touching the body of a female follower in her 50s, surnamed B (54), between July 2023 and March 2024.
He also faces charges of habitually sexually assaulting his stepdaughter, surnamed C (31), between January and April 2024, and falsely accusing his daughter in December of that year of reporting him for a sexual crime.
It was revealed that A repeatedly committed sexual crimes after brainwashing followers by claiming, "I am God," and forcing religious beliefs upon them so they could not refuse his instructions.
During the trial, A complained of a myocardial infarction and was hospitalized, causing the sentencing date to be postponed once.
On the 16th, the first-instance court sentenced A to nine years in prison, stating that the defendant mentally dominated followers who sought salvation and enlightenment while engaging in constant sexual contact, and that the sentence was determined by taking into account that the defendant is a first-time offender with physical ailments, yet showed no remorse.
(Photo courtesy of Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
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