Editing The Circle (sect)

'''The Circle (Cercul)'''  was a sect from [[Târgu Mureș]], [[Romania]]. It was created in 2008 by "guru" Eusebiu Sebastian Apostolache.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ziare.com/stiri/justitie/marturiile-cutremuratoare-ale-victimelor-din-secta-cercul-casa-sfanta-1656783|title=Fiica uneia dintre membrele gruparii a fost exploatata sexual de "guru" de la varsta de 11-12 ani|website=Ziare.com}}</ref> 
For eight years, he sexually exploited several young women, as well as minor girls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/stiri-interne/evenimente/condamnare-in-dosarul-sclavelor-sexuale-din-2072677.html|title=Condamnare în dosarul sclavelor sexuale din secta "Cercul". Cum le exploata şeful grupării, autointitulat "Atotputernicul pe pământ"|date=January 23, 2021|website=adevarul.ro}}</ref> Most of the young women were students at the University of Arts in Târgu Mureș.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://evz.ro/secta-cercul-din-mures-decizia-de-ultima-ora-a-procurorilor.html|title=Secta "Cercul" din Mureș - decizia de ultimă oră a procurorilor legată de adepți. Ce se întâmplă cu "Guru" Sebi, omul care a transformat studente de la Arte în sclave sexuale|website=evz.ro}}</ref>

The leader told them that he was in permanent contact with a higher spiritual being, called Chekhov1, the first of God's [[Angel|angels]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://huff.ro/stiri/dezvaluiri-despre-practicile-din-secta-cercul-liderul-spiritual-abuza-femeile-vorbind-despre-ingerii-lui-dumnezeu-89401|title=Dezvăluiri despre practicile din secta Cercul. Liderul 'spiritual' abuza femeile vorbind despre îngerii lui Dumnezeu|first=Daniel|last=Șuta|date=October 1, 2016|website=huff.ro}}</ref>

The leader was sentenced to nine years in prison for [[human trafficking]], forming an [[Organized crime|organized criminal group]], minors trafficking, and sexual intercourse with a minor on a continuous basis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/justitie/sebastian-eusebiu-apostolache-lider-secta-cercul-targu-mures-studente-eleve-urmarit-internationala-648015.html|title=Un bărbat din Ocna Mureş, liderul sectei "Cercul" care racola studente şi eleve şi le promitea "viaţă eternă", este urmărit internaţional|website=antena3.ro}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Circle (sect)}}
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 2008]]
[[Category:Religious organizations based in Romania]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 2000s]]


{{Romania-org-stub}}
{{reli-org-stub}}