In Russia's Penza province, some 400 miles southeast of Moscow, 29 followers of a doomsday prophet have retreated to a cave to await the end of the world which they believe will occur this May. (International Herald Tribune, 11/21).One of the group's leaders in a dream conceived the idea of the move in order to save themselves during the time of the apocalypse. The group has been in the cave since Oct. 24, and they threaten to blow themselves up if forced to leave. Their leader, Pyotr Kuznetsov, founder of the True Russian Orthodox Church, is now confined to a psychiatric hospital after being charged with setting up a religious organization associated with violence. Beloruski Novosti reported yesterday that a member of the Belarus' parliament went to the cave on Sunday and spoke with the group which includes 10 or 12 Belorussian citizens.
Yesterday, RIA Novosti reported that Kuznetsov has refused to help authorities convince the group to release four small children who are with them. Psychiatrists from Moscow are currently negotiating with those inside the cave, focusing on release of the children. They are being assisted by millionaire businessman German Sterligov who has himself been living in a remote forest hut to protect his family from the "negative influence of television and modern schools".
