An alleged sex cult run by an elderly man known as 'The Doctor' has been raided by the police.
On Sunday officers arrived at the group's headquarters in Novara near the Italian city of Milan.
The 77-year-old man who is accused of running the unnamed group allegedly subjected young women and minors to sexual acts over the course of 30 years, Messaggero reports.
The organisation had a pyramid structure, police said, with the most loyal followers working underneath The Doctor.
His followers venerated their leader like a god and did his bidding under a threat of social isolation if they disobeyed.
The group was run under a form of Celtic-style mysticism whereby women were persuaded to submit to sexual abuse.
If they did their 'inner fire' would be lit, according to the group's philosophy.
Those in the inner circle were trained in psychology and allegedly helped to identify new women to indoctrinate.
Once they had signed up members were pressurised to severe ties with their family and friends.
The Doctor is said to have wielded enormous power over his members, deciding who did what work and providing some women with houses.
He even determined their movements and who they spoke to.
Members were also brought into the group through its numerous access points with the outside world, including a craft shop and publishing house.
The group also ran two dance schools.
One alleged victim told the police: "He decides everything, who you can attend, where you can work.
"He chooses which girls should entertain him, if you can or cannot go to our fairy places."
She added that members were not allowed to say The Doctor's name.
Police have not said if anyone has been arrested or how many people were involved in the organisation.
They had been investigating the group for two years having been tipped off by a former member.
