One of the most high-profile court cases in recent years has begun in the province of Castellón. On trial are six people, including relatives and close associates of the late leader of the La Chaparra cult. They are charged with a series of serious crimes, including years of sexual abuse of minors, psychological coercion, and forming a criminal organization.
On the first day of hearings, former members of the group—including a mother and daughter—gave detailed accounts of life inside the isolated community. According to them, the atmosphere in La Chaparra was steeped in fear, manipulation, and strict control. The leader, known as tío Toni, built a personality cult around himself, promising healing and salvation through esoteric rituals and sexual practices. Women and children became victims, and any attempt to resist was met with psychological and physical violence.
Control system and financial schemes
The sect has existed since the early 1990s and gradually expanded, attracting new followers. Inside the group, there was a strict hierarchy, and all decisions were made solely by the leader. Men and women were assigned different work, and any deviation from the rules was punished. The financial side of community life was also strictly controlled: sect members donated large sums, participated in buying property, and financed businesses serving the organization’s needs. Over the years, La Chaparra followers invested hundreds of thousands of euros without anything in return.
A special focus of the accusations is the role played by women from the leader’s inner circle. According to the victims, it was they who helped arrange meetings between minors and the sect leader, sometimes even being present during the crimes. Some of these women are now themselves on trial and could face lengthy prison sentences.
Psychological trauma and consequences
Testimonies from former sect members paint a horrifying picture: children were subjected to abuse from an early age, while adult women lived under constant pressure and fear. Many victims still require psychological help to cope with the aftermath of what they endured. Some only realized years later that what was happening had nothing to do with healing or spiritual growth.
The trial promises to be lengthy: over thirteen hearings, more than fifty witnesses and a dozen experts are expected to testify. Ahead are interrogations of the accused and new details about life inside La Chaparra. Society is closely following the case, awaiting a just verdict for those who destroyed the lives of so many who trusted them for years.
