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Former Troyes Yoga Teacher Charged With Rape, Sexual Assault and Abuse of Weakness

Prosecutors say the sprawling, multi‑county investigation raises the possibility that the man exercised sect‑like control over students and the probe remains open.

Overview

  • The office of the Troyes prosecutor confirmed Monday that a 74-year-old former yoga instructor has been formally placed under investigation and has been under court-ordered judicial supervision since November 2025.
  • He faces charges of rape, sexual assaults by a person in authority, sexual assault of a minor over 15 and abuse of weakness in a file that prosecutors call very large.
  • At least five women have been identified as alleged victims, one of whom was a minor at the time, and some complaints allege incidents stretching back to 1998.
  • Local reporting and victim accounts say some assaults were carried out under the cover of yoga-related therapy and described the teacher as charismatic or a 'guru', and the suspect is barred from contacting the alleged victims.
  • Under French procedure, being 'mis en examen' means a formal judicial inquiry has begun while 'contrôle judiciaire' imposes restrictions such as contact bans, the investigation remains open, and the suspect's lawyer declined to comment.