S2 Ep9: How Do Cults Brainwash Their Members? | The Nazi Pedophile Who Ran a Sinister Cult | Case of Colonia Dignidad | True Crime

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Colonia Dignidad was a secretive, isolated compound in Chile founded by German émigré Paul Schäfer in 1961. Initially presented as an idyllic Christian community, it later became known for its dark history of human rights abuses and criminal activities. The enclave had ties to the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Colonia Dignidad was accused of numerous human rights violations, including torture, child abuse, and forced labor. Schäfer, the leader, was implicated in these crimes. The colony also served as a center for political repression during Pinochet's rule. In the late 20th century, the atrocities within the colony gained international attention.

The compound was raided in 2005, and Schäfer was arrested. He was later convicted of various charges, including child abuse, and sentenced to prison. The site, now called Villa Baviera, has undergone efforts to distance itself from its dark past and is used for tourism and agriculture. The history of Colonia Dignidad remains a dark chapter in Chile's past, symbolizing the abuse of power and the consequences of unchecked authority.

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