Alberta spiritual leader, wife facing additional sexual assault charges: Police

A self-styled spiritual leader and his wife are facing additional charges for alleged sexual assaults between 2012 and 2019.

Edmonton police say Johannes (John) de Ruiter, who is 63, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault in three separate cases.

Leigh Ann de Ruiter, who is 64, was jointly charged with two counts of sexual assault.

Police have said Johannes de Ruiter is the leader of an Edmonton group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy or the Oasis Group.

Edmonton police have alleged that he would tell female members that he was directed by a spirit to engage in sexual activity with them, and that doing so would give them the opportunity to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

They have not elaborated on allegations against his wife.

Johannes de Ruiter was arrested and charged in January with four counts of sexual assault.

His wife was then arrested and charged with counts of sexual assault almost two months later.