HAMBURG, West Germany: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in an interview published Sunday that his arrest in the United States had shown him “the true face of America,” and he called U.S. authorities “facists.”

Rajneesh, who left the United States after pleading guilty to immigration violations, said his followers were looking for a new headquarters for their cult.

Interviewed in India by the West German news magazine Der Spiegel Rajneesh also defended his Oregon commune, saying it served as an example for America.

“In four years, we had no crime, no rape, no murder, no suicide, and no madness. And what in contrast is the American way of life? I say it is rape, murder and madness,” he said.

Rajneesh, who agreed to leave the Unite Sates last month after pleading guilty to immigration fraud charges, said his movement was stronger than ever, and he denied the disbanding of his commune in central Oregon was the end of his organization.

“The Sanyasin movement has become yet stronger in the last two months. Those who have left have come back. They have begun again to love me,” he said.

Rajneesh said he was looking for a new headquarters for his Sanyasin movement.

“My people are looking all over the world for a suitable, new home for me. Perhaps we will know something in two weeks,” he said.

Anyway India is not my home. I belong to no nation. The world is my home.”

Rajneesh accused U.S. authorities of mistreating him in prison.

“The whole affair has shown me the true face of America,” he said. “They have only a farce of a democracy. Behind prison walls, their faces change immediately and they carry on like fascists.”

The guru said the 93 Rolls-Royces given him by his followers and sold last week were not his own, but belonged to the movement.

“They did not belong to me. What could I do with them? Ninety-three Rolls-Royces is crazy. They were presents, nothing more,” Rajnesh said.

He said he and the community had been betrayed by his former aide, Ma Anand Sheela, who fled Oregon shortly before the Bhagwan’s arrest and the breakup of the community.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 13, 1985