Editing Néo-Phare

{{Short description|French new religious movement (2001–2002)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox religion
| founder            = Arnaud Mussy
| founded_date       = {{start date |2001|01}}
| founded_place      = France
| separated_from     = Phare-Ouest
| defunct            = {{end date and age|2002|10}}
| members            = 21 (at peak)
| type               = [[New religious movement]]
| headquarters       = Cellier, France
}}

'''Néo-Phare''' ({{literal translation|New Lighthouse}}) was a small French [[new religious movement]], often described as a [[cult]] or [[doomsday cult]], founded by Arnaud Mussy in January{{nbsp}}2001. It formed through a [[schism (religion)|schism]] with {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} ({{literal translation|West Lighthouse}}), which was founded by the esoteric writer André Bouguenec. Bouguenec's belief system incorporated [[Kabbalah]] and [[hermeticism]], and he also proclaimed that he was [[God]]. Mussy joined the group in 1997, and Bouguenec died the same year. Viewing the original group as too rigid, Mussy and 20 members left the group and formed {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}}.

After the [[September 11 attacks]], Mussy predicted the [[Eschatology|end of the world]], the time of which was repeatedly delayed after it failed to occur. In July{{nbsp}}2002, a member killed himself and two other members were said to have attempted to kill themselves. Following this, Mussy was tried in France on the grounds that he had [[Brainwashing|brainwashed]] his followers and was responsible for the suicide and attempted suicides. He was found guilty, and given a three-year suspended sentence and a {{Euro|115,000}} fine. The group was dissolved after Mussy was arrested; it only existed for a year and a half. It was the first time the anti-cult [[About–Picard law]] had been invoked, and the trial received a significant amount of media coverage.

== History ==
'''{{vanchor|Arnaud Mussy}}''' was born in [[Boulogne-Billancourt]] in 1968.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}} He moved to [[Argentina]] in his 20s, but then returned to France. When Mussy was 22, he discovered the esoteric beliefs of fashion designer [[Paco Rabanne]].{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}} Mussy had worked for [[France-Telecom]] and had a [[Brevet de technicien supérieur|BTS]] degree in communication.<ref name="LeParisien2005">{{Cite news |date=2005-06-07 |title=Six mois ferme réclamés contre le gourou |trans-title=Six months' imprisonment sought against guru |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/six-mois-ferme-reclames-contre-le-gourou-07-06-2005-2006015815.php |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[Le Parisien]] |language=fr-FR |issn=0767-3558}}</ref><ref name="VoiceofAmerica2002">{{Cite news |date=2002-10-20 |title=French cult predicts doomsday by Christmas |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-10-20-12-french-66456502/551360.html |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[Voice of America]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[The Scotsman]]'' described him as a "former hitchhiker".<ref name="TheScotsman2002">{{Cite news |date=2002-09-03 |title=Siege as French apocalypse cult plans voyage to Venus |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/siege-as-french-apocalypse-cult-plans-voyage-to-venus-2473667 |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[The Scotsman]] |location=Edinburgh |language=en-GB |issn=0307-5850}}</ref> In 1997, he met the obscure [[esoteric]] writer and Breton mystic and [[freemason]] André Bouguenec (also known as Auguste Bouguenec; last name also sometimes spelled Bougenec).{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}}<ref name="Ternisien2002">{{Cite news |last=Ternisien |first=Xavier |date=2002-09-04 |title=Dans un pavillon nantais, six membres de la secte Néo-Phare attendent l'apocalypse pour le 24 octobre |trans-title=In a pavilion in Nantes, six members of the Néo-Phare cult await the apocalypse on 24 October |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2002/09/04/dans-un-pavillon-nantais-six-membres-de-la-secte-neo-phare-attendent-l-apocalypse-pour-le-24-octobre_4254378_1819218.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Monde]] |location=Paris |language=fr-FR |issn=0395-2037}}</ref> Bouguenec led the {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} ({{literal translation|West Lighthouse}}) group, which had about 40 members.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}} {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} had been founded in 1989;{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}} Bouguenec believed that he was the reincarnation of Jesus, and developed a belief system, {{lang|fr|Kabbalah Française}}, derivative of [[Kabbalah]], which involved [[numerology]] and linguistic elements, inspired by [[alchemical]] [[hermeticism]].{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}}{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=57}} Bouguenec's claim to be god was supposedly proven with numerology;{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=57}} however, using his actual name did not fulfill this proof.{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=58}} He believed God to be [[androgynous]]. He preached for a kind of [[salvation]] that involved sex-complementary pairs, with the couples in the group representing the couples of [[Heavenly Jerusalem]]. He held ceremonies that established married couples as these "soulmate" pairs.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=155}} Mussy joined {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} in 1997; that year, Bouguenec died.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}}

After Bouguenec's death, Mussy formed a [[schism]]atic group, later saying that he considered the members of {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} to be too religiously rigid "like the [[Pharisees]]", but the psychologist [[Sonya Jougla]] attributes this to both internal conflicts and his ambition.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}}{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=57}} In January{{nbsp}}2001, Mussy, with 20 followers, formed {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}}; most members were between the ages of 30 and 40, and largely couples with some children. Mussy and his twin brother Olivier, who was viewed as [[Saint Peter]] within the group, brought their wives and their mother-in-law into the group. Neither brother needed to work as their father had left them a large [[inheritance]].{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=153}} The name {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was chosen after the protagonist of the 1999 film ''[[The Matrix]]'', [[Neo (The Matrix)|Neo]], as Mussy was a fan of the movie, in combination with the previous group's title. He interpreted esoteric meaning from some of the film's symbolism.<ref name="Ternisien2002" />

The 21 members (including Mussy) were visualized as 21 "apostles" (flipped from the [[Twelve Apostles]]), their task being to rewrite the [[Bible]], which they viewed as having been distorted by the [[Catholic Church]]. They analyzed it through Bouguenec's ideas and numerology system. The group's mission was to rebuild the world after the apocalypse in a way that would align with their beliefs.{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=57}} Mussy said he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ (previously he believed he was James the Apostle).<ref name="Lichfield2002">{{Cite news |last=Lichfield |first=John |date=2002-09-06 |title=This Europe: Why a cult leader is suddenly no laughing matter |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/this-europe-why-a-cult-leader-is-suddenly-no-laughing-matter-176101.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |page=13 |language=en-GB |issue=4957 |issn=1741-9743}}</ref><ref name="P.2005">{{Cite news |last=P. |first=R. |date=2005-06-27 |title=Un cas concret se déroule en France et pourrait fonder la jurisprudence |trans-title=A solid case in France could form the basis of future case law |url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/2005/06/28/un-cas-concret-se-deroule-en-france-et-pourrait-fonder-la-jurisprudence-U7TX5T3RRNFLZCS4VFKHK3YGCU/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[La Libre]] |location=Brussels |language=fr-BE |issn=1379-6992}}</ref> The group moved to two hamlets, with the core members living in Cellier, a small village close to Nantes, and the rest living in Olivier Mussy's home in [[Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine|Aigrefeuille]]. According to Olivier Mussy, the group lived cooperatively but not communally; members shared expenses and worked jobs half time, but maintained their own bank accounts.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=153–154}} Early in the group's history, Mussy interpreted and taught Bouguenec's ideas, but he later began to fulfill a more messianic role.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=154}}

== Apocalypse predictions ==
{{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} has been classified as a [[doomsday cult]] by the suicide researcher [[Loren Coleman]].{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}} The anti-cult group [[UNADFI]] described them as having both [[Apocalypticism|apocalyptic]] and [[UFO religion]] aspects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-22 |title=Que sait-on de ? Néo-Phare |trans-title=What do we know about? Néo-Phare |url=https://www.unadfi.org/actualites/groupes-et-mouvances/que-sait-on-de-neo-phare/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=[[UNADFI]] |language=fr-FR}}</ref> After the [[September 11 attacks]], the group became more apocalyptic in its thought. Mussy claimed that Bouguenec had foreseen the destruction of the [[Twin Towers]], and the group interpreted the attack as a sign of the end times. Mussy said that Bouguenec had encrypted the date as 11/6 instead of 9/11 (inverting the number),{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=154}} and said that the attacks were a message from God to prepare for the end.<ref name="Lichfield2002" /> He announced that the end of the world would occur on 29 December 2001. He believed the apocalypse would be positive—not a violent destruction of the world, but a rebirth of a more spiritual humanity.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=154}}

In December 2001, {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} convened in a crypt near the tomb of [[Mary Magdalene]] in [[Vézelay]] and attempted to communicate with her spirit, which they referred to as the "Divine Mother" and conceived of as the "female archetype". Mussy mimicked Jesus on the cross while another member shouted out the French word {{lang|fr|beaucoup}} ({{Translation|literal=yes|a lot, many}}).{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=154}} The group also engaged in trance sessions, similar to [[Pentecostal]] Christian practice.{{sfn|Bourseiller|2014|p=316}} The group often met at sacred sites, such as abbeys and historic castles, viewing them as locations of power. Mussy viewed the tomb of [[Francis II, Duke of Brittany]] (which was discussed in a book written by Bouguenec) in Nantes as the key to the apocalypse.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=155}}

When the apocalypse date of 29 December 2001 arrived, nothing happened. Mussy then announced that the apocalypse would be 25 February 2002.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=155}} After the announcement, he exerted more control over {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}}'s members, separating 3 or 4 couples and reassigning them to others according to their "energies"—an extension of Bouguenec's soulmate doctrine.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=155}}{{sfn|Bourseiller|2014|p=316}} Mussy said he was reuniting couples through this practice, not separating them, with the couples in the group representing the couples in Heavenly Jerusalem and all of the couples in the world.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=155}}

In February 2002, a {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} member claimed that she felt a presence in her throat and fell into a trance claiming to channel Bouguenec, who spoke to Mussy and told him he was Jesus. Although channeling was not then part of the group's doctrine, the group believed her. Less than a month later, that member and her boyfriend left the group and denounced Mussy as a cult leader and a fake, saying he was a "seducer" who could "overwhelm" people. In a deposition taken later, she stated that she had not done the channeling, but that Mussy had done it himself "directly, from the sky". In light of both the channeling and the ritual in the crypt in Vézelay, Mussy claimed to be Jesus.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=154–155}}

The February date passed and there was once again no apocalypse. He announced a new date of 2 September, and then 24 October 2002 (the latter being the day of Bouguenec's death).{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}} At this time, the group had been noticed by the French authorities, who were concerned about the attitudes of the group.{{sfn|Bourseiller|2014|p=316}} The relatives of some members, comparing the group to the [[Order of the Solar Temple]] (which had committed several mass suicides), were worried about its apocalyptic ideas and the behavior of the members. They contacted an anti-cult group, who contacted journalists, resulting in media attention on the group and mockery of its ideas. In March 2002, members were summoned to a police station and an investigation was launched after these complaints.{{sfn|Bourseiller|2014|p=316}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}} The status of the group's children was investigated, but as their children were not involved in any of their activities and regularly attended school, the police were satisfied and the case was closed in June 2002.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}} As a result of the police investigation, the group became embroiled in crisis and most members left, leaving only 8 core members.{{sfn|Bourseiller|2014|p=316}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}}

== Suicide and alleged attempts ==
On 14 July 2002, one member of {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}}, 29-year-old {{vanchor|Jérémie Trossais}}, killed himself by throwing himself in front of a car.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}} What lead Trossais to kill himself is unknown; he did not leave a suicide note.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=151}} He had been viewed as a [[Judas]] figure within the group.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=166}} Psychiatrist [[Jean-Marie Abgrall]] argued that this led to his abuse within the movement, but sociologist [[Susan J. Palmer]] argued that, as Judas was viewed positively within the group's theology, this may not have been stigmatizing.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=166}} A member of Trossais's family said he had felt rejected by Mussy, who said he did not pray enough, and said that it was his fault the apocalypse had not happened on time.<ref name="Ternisien2002" /> Trossais's wife had also been paired with Mussy's brother as his "soulmate" and she became pregnant.<ref name="LeTélégramme2005">{{Cite news |date=2005-06-05 |title=Néo-Phare. De la prison ferme requise en appel |trans-title=Néo-Phare. Strong prison sentence requested on appeal |url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/elections/municipales/neo-phare-de-la-prison-ferme-requise-en-appel-5311836.php |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[Le Télégramme]] |language=fr-FR |issn=0751-5928}}</ref> Shortly after his death, Trossais's wife left the group to live with her family.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=171}}

In the following days, it was alleged that two other members, a couple, also attempted suicide, though they later denied this.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} The couple had been members of {{Lang|fr|Phare-Ouest}} for seven years and joined Mussy's schism.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=168}} On 15 July, the male member of the couple climbed up the tower of the [[Château de Clermont]]. He threw himself out of a window, but survived the fall, unharmed.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}} The following day, his wife did the same, climbing up the tower. According to news reports, she did this naked with a flower in her mouth.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=156}} She was then brought to a clinic in the castle, and taken for psychiatric examination. The couple were then questioned by police.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=171}}
 
Mussy and his brother's version of events is that there had been a power struggle, saying that in July 2002, the couple attempted to take over {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}}.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=111, 113–114}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=170}} According to him they told Mussy that they had received a revelation that if he went to Nantes, he would meet his "soul sister". As Mussy's wife had recently left him and he felt lonely, he went.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=170}} During his absence both members of the couple then declared themselves the leaders of the group.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}} When Mussy returned, there was a power struggle between Mussy and the couple.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}} Mussy interpreted this coup as reinforcing his claim of being the messiah and viewed the couple as "rebel angels", symbolic of the revolt against God.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=170}} Mussy claimed that on the day he had killed himself, Trossais had repeatedly called him on the phone and sounded distraught over the couple; Mussy told him to come over so they could discuss it, but Trossais refused.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}} According to Mussy, in a second call, Trossais also claimed to be Jesus, and said that he believed that if he died, God would manifest. Mussy did not take this seriously and believed it to be a metaphor, as he, also believing himself to be Jesus, had not tried to kill himself.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=171}} The attempted suicide of the couple was claimed by Olivier Mussy as an attempt by the couple to display supernatural powers, as they had allegedly told him and his brother that they were "the two faces of God".{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=114}}

Immediately after the suicide of Trossais, police questioned {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} members. Charges were not immediately brought, as there was no proof of crimes such as financial misappropriation or involvement of minors in the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-09-05 |title=Ouverture d'une enquête sur Néo-Phare |trans-title=Inquiry launched into Néo-Phare |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/ouverture-d-une-enquete-sur-neo-phare-05-09-2002-2003377406.php |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Parisien]] |language=fr-FR |issn=0767-3558}}</ref> The group then moved back to Nantes, where they waited for the apocalypse. Mussy and the remaining five members shut themselves in a house, awaiting the "journey to [[Venus]]".<ref name="Lichfield2002" /><ref name="J.2005">{{Cite news |last=J. |first=J. |date=2005-07-13 |title=Trois ans avec sursis pour le gourou de Néo-Phare |trans-title=Three-year suspended sentence for the guru of Néo-Phare |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/nantes/57339-20050713-nantes-trois-ans-avec-sursis-pour-le-gourou-de-neo-phare |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]] |language=fr-FR |issn=1632-1022 |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}} Here they were monitored by [[French intelligence services]].<ref name="Ternisien2002" /><ref name="Landais2002">{{Cite news |last=Landais |first=Rodolphe |date=2002-09-02 |title=Une secte sous surveillance |trans-title=A cult under surveillance |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/une-secte-sous-surveillance-02-09-2002-2003368926.php |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[Le Parisien]] |language=fr-FR |issn=0767-3558}}</ref> When they stayed inside the house for a long period, the police began to worry they were plotting mass suicide like the Order of the Solar Temple.<ref name="Ternisien2002" /><ref name="Lichfield2002" /><ref name="Landais2002" /> During this period they read about and discussed religious matters.<ref name="VoiceofAmerica2002" /> Former members claimed that they were waiting for [[UFOs]].<ref name="Chalandon2002">{{Cite news |last=Chalandon |first=Sorj |date=2002-09-10 |title=Saint-Florentin |url=https://www.liberation.fr/medias/2002/09/10/saint-florentin_414918/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[Libération]] |location=Paris |language=fr-FR |issn=0335-1793}}</ref><ref name="TheScotsman2002" /> The members stored food in preparation for the apocalypse.<ref name="Ternisien2002" /> Mussy claimed there would be three "difficult" days of the end of the world, but then it would be "joyful"; however, later he said that it would not be an end of "the" world, but the end of "a" world.<ref name="VoiceofAmerica2002" /><ref name="Chalandon2002" />

Mussy denied responsibility for the previous suicide and suicide attempts, and denied that his group would kill themselves, saying that death was not the way out and that {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was not a cult.<ref name="Ternisien2002" /><ref name="Lichfield2002" />{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}} No documents were ever found indicating the group advocated or encouraged suicide.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=151}} By September, there had begun a [[media frenzy]] around the case; news reports suggested that the group may have been intending to commit mass suicide.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=150–151}} {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was frequently compared to the Solar Temple by the media, with ''[[Le Figaro]]'' declaring it the "new OTS" and journalists comparing Mussy to leaders [[Luc Jouret]] and [[Joseph Di Mambro]].{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=163}} A former member discussed a comparison between the group's idea of voyaging to Venus and the Solar Temple's concept of voyage to [[Sirius]].{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=164}} On 5 September, Mussy dismissed any comparisons made between the two groups.{{sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=88–89}} After the deaths, the investigation into the group was reopened.<ref name="LeTélégramme2005" /> At that time Mussy then stated the apocalypse date was not specific but would happen before [[Christmas]].<ref name="VoiceofAmerica2002" /><ref name="Lichfield2002" /> He said that if he was incorrect about doomsday he might return to his prior job working at France-Telecom.<ref name="VoiceofAmerica2002" />

== Trial and dissolution ==
Mussy was arrested 16 October 2002 and charged for "abuse of weakness" under the [[About–Picard law]]. He was held for 48 hours for questioning and forbidden by the court from having any contact with his followers.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=111–112}} {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was then dissolved; it had only existed for a year and a half.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}} Mussy was released under [[Judicial supervision (France)|judicial supervision]].<ref name="LeNouvelObs2004">{{Cite news |date=2004-10-16 |title=Gourou de Neo-Phare : 30 mois de sursis requis |trans-title=Neo-Phare guru: 30-month suspended sentence requested |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20041015.OBS9154/gourou-de-neo-phare-30-mois-de-sursis-requis.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Nouvel Obs]] |location=Paris |language=fr-FR |issn=0029-4713}}</ref> His trial received significant media coverage.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=147}}

Mussy's trial was the test case for the About–Picard law. The law had been passed in May 2001 and was designed to prosecute cult leaders. It created a new [[misdemeanor]] in French law, abuse of weakness ({{Lang|fr|l'abus frauduleux de l'état d’ignorance ou de faiblesse}}), that was designed to account for the several ways that a charismatic leader could harm a follower through brainwashing. However, the law faced criticism for lacking objective criteria.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=111}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=148}} The law also allowed private groups (ones that were deemed to be "of public utility" and had existed for at least five years) to initiate civil proceedings on behalf of a civil plaintiff, without that plaintiff's consent or knowledge, including in some cases where the plaintiffs in question do not want charges filed.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=167–168}}

Under that provision, the French anti-cult group [[UNADFI]] prosecuted the case against Mussy on behalf of Trossais's parents, naming Trossais, Trossais's widow (an ex-member), and the couple as victims; none of the living victims appeared at trial.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=112–113}} The prosecution, led by the UNADFI attorney Jean-Michel Pesenti, called the psychiatrist [[Jean-Marie Abgrall]], the lead French cult brainwashing expert, as an expert witness. A local official for an anti-cult group also gave evidence.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}} Mussy was defended by a court-appointed attorney, Fabrice Petit. Mussy only met with his attorney twice, as he felt it more important to write a book. He told journalists at the trial that he had decided not to retain a lawyer because he was being "tested by the heavens". Throughout the trial, he used his presence to broadcast his message.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=157}} He also maintained that he was Jesus.<ref name="LeParisien2005" /><ref name="LeTélégramme2005" />

The prosecution accused Mussy of causing Trossais's suicide by pressuring him and through "techniques of thought reform" that affected his judgment.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=112–113}} Mussy's attorney argued that he was being used as a "guinea pig" to test the new law; he told the court that "One is asking you to be psychiatric magistrates. Neither you nor I have the competence to judge {{lang|fr|manipulation mentale}} [{{Translation|literal=yes|brainwashing}}]."{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=157}} Abgrall called Mussy "a master manipulator".{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} He also compared the group to the Solar Temple, as both groups recorded their meetings and practiced [[Swinging (sexual practice)|swinging]].{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=164}} Mussy's attorney argued that the group's members were responsible adults, capable of free choice.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=158, 166}} Trossais's sister said during the trial that Mussy had destroyed her brother, as he had the couple.<ref name="LeTélégramme2005" />

Mussy testified and argued that {{lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was too poor, small, and careful to be a cult; the local cult official responded that that made the group even more dangerous because members would not realize they were joining a cult. Mussy further denied any involvement in Trossais's death or that he had planned any suicide.<ref name="LeParisien2005" />{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=158}} After Mussy testified, the judge said he seemed sincere; the local anti-cult official responded that his seeming sincere was further proof that he was a manipulator.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} The couple gave a [[Deposition (law)|deposition]], read out by the prosecutor in court, in which they denied having attempted suicide. They further said that Mussy had never attempted to influence them to do things they did not want to do. The prosecutor argued that the deposition showed that they were brainwashed victims in a psychologically impressionable mental state, and Abgrall said they suffered from [[Stockholm syndrome]].{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=167}}

On 14 October 2004, Mussy was found guilty of abuse of weakness.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} The public prosecutor requested a 30-month suspended sentence, with 6 months to be served, as well as that Mussy be banned from leading any group and that he undergo a 5-year socio-educational follow-up.<ref name="P.2005" /><ref name="LeNouvelObs2004" /> The judgement was adjourned until 25 November.<ref name="LeNouvelObs2004" /> The {{Ill|Rennes Court of Appeal|fr|Cour d'appel de Rennes}} declined to follow the prosecution's recommendation,<ref name="J.2005" /> sentencing Mussy to a three-year [[suspended prison sentence]] and a {{Euro|115,000}} fine to compensate the victims.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}<ref name="C.2005">{{Cite news |last=C. |first=A.A. |date=2005-07-13 |title=Prison avec sursis pour le gourou |trans-title=Suspended sentence for the guru |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/prison-avec-sursis-pour-le-gourou-13-07-2005-2006121883.php |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Parisien]] |issn=0767-3558}}</ref> Mussy appealed the sentence, but it was upheld 6 June 2005.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}

== Aftermath ==
The verdict was celebrated by [[anti-cultist]]s; [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] member [[Jean-Pierre Brard]] declared that it was "excellent news", while the prosecutor stated that "nothing will ever be the same", calling Mussy's conviction a "victory".<ref name="P.2005" />{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=149}} The case was interpreted as a warning and a precedent: Mussy's attorney declared, following the verdict, that "This is not a conviction that is neutral. It contains a very strong warning! Here we have the first jurisprudence!"{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=149}} The state anti-cult agency [[MIVILUDES]] said it was excellent news, and praised the effectiveness of the law.<ref name="P.2005" /> The prosecutor said afterwards that the case had been a close call because of the difficulty in determining guilt of brainwashing.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=160}} As of 2008, Mussy was paying the fine in installments.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} Mussy later said of his conviction that "It was clear the National Assembly had a new law and they wanted to try it out on some little group to make an example—not a big powerful [cult] like Scientology that has lots of money to defend itself. I have no money. I knew I could not win."{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=157}}

The cult researcher [[Susan J. Palmer]] argued that the application of the brainwashing concept in this specific case was flawed, even apart from the wider concerns about the legitimacy of the concept and how it is supposed to be proven.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=151}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=115}} She also argued that {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} did not fit the typical [[cult mass suicide]] model (like the Solar Temple, [[Jonestown]], and [[Heaven's Gate (religious group)|Heaven's Gate]]), and criticized what she believed was inadequate research of the group itself during the legal process, including its theology and history.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=151–152, 167–168}} She said it may have been an attempt by the French justice system to compensate for the innocent verdict in the [[Tabachnik trial]] of the Order of the Solar Temple.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=163}} The OTS suicides had shocked the French public, and due to the failure of the justice system to convict the only person who ever went on trial in that case, there was no "satisfying" conclusion, deeply frustrating the French authorities.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=162–163}} She also argued that the very high defection rate (14 of the 20 members had left over time) evidenced Mussy was not "a particularly effective brainwasher".{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=166}}

Suicide researcher [[Loren Coleman]] viewed it as "another scare" relating to mass suicide in the aftermath of the Solar Temple case, noting it as such alongside another group led by [[Heide Fittkau-Garthe]] that had been accused of the same in 1998.{{sfn|Coleman|2004|p=88}} Psychologist [[Sonya Jougla]] argued that after the failure of his first apocalypse prediction, the failure became intolerable for Mussy as it showed tangibly that he had failed. She argued that he then reversed this meaning which avoided a loss of power for him and the group's beliefs.{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=59}} She also said that the group's continued membership after the suicide and police investigations was an example of {{lang|fr|résilience sectaire}} ({{literal translation|sectarian resilience}}) a kind of "pseudo resilience", to handle stress from the group membership, with Mussy viewing this ability as a sign of one's spiritual evolution.{{sfn|Jougla|2003|p=60}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

=== Works cited ===
* {{Cite book |last=Bourseiller |first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Bourseiller |title=Les Faux Messies: Histoire d'une attente |publisher=Pocket |year=2014 |isbn=978-2-266-25014-6 |language=fr |chapter=XVIII. Messies en activité |chapter-url=https://shs.cairn.info/les-faux-messies--9782266250146-page-291 |via=[[Cairn.info]]|chapter-url-access=subscription}}
* {{Cite book |last=Coleman |first=Loren |author-link=Loren Coleman |title=The Copycat Effect: How the Media and Popular Culture Trigger the Mayhem in Tomorrow's Headlines |title-link=The Copycat Effect |publisher=[[Paraview Pocket Books]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7434-8223-3 |language=en |chapter=Cultic Copycats}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jougla |first=Sonya |title=Victime-Agresseur |publisher=Champ social |year=2003 |isbn=978-2-913376-27-4 |editor-last=Baccino |editor-first=Eric |volume=3 |language=fr |chapter=Emprise sectaire et processus résilient |editor-last2=Bessoles |editor-first2=Philippe |chapter-url=https://shs.cairn.info/victime-agresseur-tome-trois--2913376274-page-55 |via=[[Cairn.info]]|chapter-url-access=subscription}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Palmer |first=Susan J. |author-link=Susan J. Palmer | doi = 10.1525/nr.2008.11.3.104| issn = 1092-6690| volume = 11| issue = 3| pages = 104–120| title = France's "War on Sects": A Post-9/11 Update| journal = [[Nova Religio]] | date = 2008|language=en |jstor=10.1525/nr.2008.11.3.104}}
* {{Cite book |last=Palmer |first=Susan J. |author-link=Susan J. Palmer |title=The New Heretics of France: Minority Religions, la République, and the Government-Sponsored "War on Sects" |title-link=The New Heretics of France |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-19-973521-1 |language=en |chapter=Néo-Phare: The First Application of the About-Picard Law |pages=147–175 |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199735211.003.0007}}

[[Category:2001 establishments in France]]
[[Category:2002 disestablishments in France]]
[[Category:Apocalyptic groups]]
[[Category:Esoteric Christianity]]
[[Category:Government opposition to new religious movements]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 2001]]
[[Category:Religious organizations disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:UFO religions]]
[[Category:New religious movements in France]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 2000s]]