The research brigade in Digne-les

The gendarmes of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence dismantled a sectarian movement called “Lève-toi”, whose leaders are suspected of exercising psychological influence over many followers whose donations have allowed them to acquire a significant international heritage. Five people were arrested on Tuesday, April 7.

Following several months of investigations, the gendarmes of the research brigade (BR) of Digne-les-Bains in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence arrested five people suspected of orchestrating a sectarian movement, including the couple at the center of the case.

A report received in December 2025 by the public prosecutor of the city sparked a large-scale investigation. The investigators identified a group called “Lève-toi”. Led by a couple living between France and abroad, they regularly welcome followers to a property located in the town of Bellaffaire, called “Le Refuge”. To expand their influence, the couple also relies on a YouTube channel titled “Lève-toi International.” The pastor’s sermons are watched thousands of times, noted by the joint press release of the prosecutor’s office and the Gendarmerie.

Behind this facade of spirituality, the military uncovered mechanisms of influence with concrete and sometimes serious consequences for the victims. Several followers were subjected to strong psychological influence, leading some to change their lifestyle choices, get into debt, cut off ties with their social circle, or stop their medical treatments, as stated in the press release. Out of about twenty former followers identified at this stage, ten have already been questioned by the investigators.

The investigators also revealed the existence of significant financial flows, powered by donations, distributed across several bank accounts and invested in real estate in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Israel. International judicial cooperation has been initiated to seize these assets abroad.

The operation carried out in France on April 7 under the authority of the investigating judge of Digne-les-Bains involved forty gendarmes. The couple and three other individuals, suspected of involvement in the management of the funds, were arrested. Seizures totaling around 920,000 euros have been carried out or are ongoing, including the property “Le Refuge” estimated at 700,000 euros, cash amounting to 29,000 euros, gold and silver worth 164,000 euros and 29,000 euros respectively, as well as a vehicle valued at 15,000 euros.

Following the custody, two individuals were released. The other three were presented to the investigating magistrate on April 8 and 9, 2026. One of them, a man born in December 1984, was charged with “organised abuse of weakness, fraud against persons in a state of psychological submission, and organized money laundering,” according to the press release. He was put in pre-trial detention. The decision regarding the other two individuals was pending from the Digne-les-Bains court at the time of writing this article.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Gendarmerie encourages any potential victims not yet identified to contact the investigators at 04 92 30 11 00.

[Context: The article reports on the dismantling of a sectarian movement in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the arrests of its leaders who were suspected of psychological manipulation and financial fraud.]

[Fact Check: The information in this article is based on official reports and press releases from the prosecutor’s office and the Gendarmerie.]