Mihai and Adina Stoian: A Humanitarian Appeal

Pending a final decision on their extradition to France, the two yoga teachers detained in Georgia should be released on bail for health reasons.

By Bitter Winter 

The undersigned scholars of religion and religious liberty activists appeal to the Georgian authorities to grant bail and house detention to Mihai and Adina Stoian, Romanian yoga teachers detained in Georgia in inhumane conditions, pending a final decision on their extradition to France.

On August 22, 2024, Mihai and Adina Stoian, who teach at Natha Yoga Center in Denmark courses following the principles of MISA, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute, were arrested on the basis of French arrest warrants when they entered Georgia, as part of a tourist trip, through the border with Türkiye at Sarpi. They are accused of complicity in “crimes allegedly committed by MISA leader Gregorian Bivolaru in France.

In particular the Stoians are accused (1) to have taught MISA yoga (which they of course admit); and (2) to have suggested to some “brainwashed” students trips to France for meeting Bivolaru, allegedly placing them at risk of being abused by him (which they deny). 

Mihai and Adina Stoian in happier times. From Facebook.Mihai and Adina Stoian in happier times. From Facebook.

These accusations rest on the theory of “brainwashing,” which in countries other than France scholars and courts of law have rejected as pseudo-scientific since the past century.

We believe the Stoians are thus accused of an imaginary crime. But whatever the substance of the matter, they are now at the center of a humanitarian crisis that need immediate attention by the Georgian authorities.

At the last hearing, on December 26, 2024, Mihai Stoian had abnormally high blood pressure. The doctor who arrived at the court recommended immediate medical care, as he was in a hypertonic crisis. Instead, Mihai was handcuffed and transported to his jail cell, with blood pressure rising to life-threatening level.

Mihai Stoian suffers of several health problems and needs to receive treatments prescribed by the Romanian doctors who have treated him for years. This is not being allowed by the Georgian jail authorities. The jail doctor regard him as a case to be treated with usual medicaments, although he told him that he has a history of being intolerant to certain drugs. It is now five months that Mihai has been denied the treatments and medicines prescribed by his Romanian doctors, who believe they are absolutely needed to avoid dramatic risks for his health and even his life.

Adina Stoian has also serious health issues. She suffers of severe disk hernia and eye problems. In absence of proper care, she is at risk of losing her eyesight. 

Both need a diet adapted to their conditions. This has also been ignored. As a result, Mihai has lost 18 kg during his detention in Georgia. Adina has lost 15 kg.

It is imperative for their health and possibly even their survival that they will be conditionally released on bail without delay.

Alessandro AMICARELLI, Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB).

Gabriel ANDREESCU, Director of the “New Journal of Human Rights,” Bucharest, Romania.

Luigi BERZANO, Professor, University of Turin (Italy)

Francesco CURTO, President of Fedinsiene (Faith Together), Torino, Italy

Raffaella DI MARZIO, Director of The Center for Studies on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Conscience (Italy)

Willy FAUTRÉ, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers (Brussels)

Holly FOLK, Professor, Western Washington University, Bellingham (USA)

Massimo INTROVIGNE, Co-founder and Managing Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions, CESNUR (Italy)

Camelia MARIN, Deputy director of SOTERIA International (Denmark)

Hans NOOT, Director of the Noodt Foundation (Netherlands)

Susan J. PALMER, Professor, Concordia University, Montreal QC (Canada)

Rosita ŠORYTÄ–, President of the International Observatory of Religious Liberty of Refugees

Thierry VALLE, President of CAP/ Liberté de Conscience, UN ECOSOC accredited (Paris)