Sydney’s “holy man” convicted to be behind bars for rape of two women
Tony Golossian, the famed “holy man” in Sydney has been condemned a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 20 years in jail.
Golossian who is the mastermind of the sex assaults showed no emotions as District Court Judge Penelope Hock ordered him to be behind bars until 2030 for 24 offences relating to the rapes of two women. Golossian, now 63, would not be qualified for parole until 2025.
Arthur Psichogios, Glossian’s co-offender, was sentenced to a maximum 16 years, with a minimum of 12, for 14 offences.
The rape victims were told by Golossian that they had been cursed and that only he could purge them of their sins. During prayer sessions between 2001 and 2008, demonic voices told the women that if they do not participate, both their families would fall ill and eventually die.
Because of this, the women were repeatedly raped at different hotels in Sydney's inner-west. Golossian who is considered a holy man that could cure black magic curses through prayer assured the victims that the rape activities were just a dream.
His wife Frances Psichogios was convicted to be behind bars for at least five years over drugging and assaulting one of the victims.
According to Judge Penelope Hock, the men had carried out an intentional and calculated plan to take advantage of the women's susceptibility and their faith.
All the offenders maintained their innocence, which indicated "bleak" prospects for their rehabilitation, Judge Hock accounted.