Court rules to extend custody of notorious sect leader Grabovoi

Moscow, Russia - Moscow City Court ruled Wednesday that a notorious sect leader who promised to resurrect children killed in the 2004 Beslan tragedy should remain in custody while facing fraud charges.

Lawyers acting for Grigory Grabovoi had demanded their client be released.

A criminal case against Grabovoi, who claimed he could heal diseases and resurrect people and collected large sums of money from his victims, was opened March 20 after parents in Beslan demanded a probe into his activities. Grabovoi was arrested April 6.

A total of 331 people died in the Beslan siege, including 186 children.