Jose Manuel CR, alias, asserts he never harmed anyone. He leads the Mahasandhi Foundation, a Buddhist organization, and has been placed in temporary custody. Accusations include drugging assistants, drug trafficking, illicit associations, and environmental offenses. When authorities reportedly found mercury among his belongings, he claimed he had merely experimented with the substance, not in a sincere or public manner so that followers could accept it.
The Iberian Press Group’s La Opinión de Murcia reports on the defense approach, noting that lawyer Pablo Martínez says Jose Manuel has largely withdrawn to his home in recent years. He is said to be located on Abanilla land where the foundation operates. Police sources indicate a warehouse within the complex hides the suspect. The material under scrutiny allegedly includes 180 kilograms of mercury and cinnabar.
According to Martínez, the defendant may have tested small quantities of mercury privately. He notes that Jose Manuel possesses a library of more than 2,000 books and spent 14 years in India learning from Hindu teachers and researching herbs and related products.
Martínez reiterates that Jose Manuel enjoyed experimenting with various materials and claims mercury is not toxic when formed into spheres. He adds that the lama believed this material possessed certain properties. Whatever the case, Martinez emphasizes that these matters are personal, private, and outside the scope of the foundation and laboratory.
Evidence stored in Vega Media repositories was also noted by the National Police. The lawyer admits Jose Manuel is a partner in a company that sells legally compliant products, and insists nothing is contaminated with mercury. The lawyer argues that when a partner’s salary is reduced, complaints arise. He suggests the situation may be politically motivated.
Martínez expects that analyses will be conducted on products and samples collected from the lab. He states that police findings indicated nothing improper or criminal. He regrets that temporary banking restrictions affecting the company could be corrected once it is established that its products do not contain mercury.
“This is not a sect,” the lawyer contends regarding the Mahasandhi foundation. He describes the foundation as having social roles, including support for exiled Tibetans to help with food, medicine, and health. He notes yoga courses and retreats are part of the program and stresses that nothing has been done outside the law in Abanilla. The foundation asserts that thousands have visited, followed their paths, and returned home.
On the other hand, the criminal lawyer claims Jose Manuel did not discharge anything into the environment illegally or knowingly, and that results will unfold with further analysis. He adds that there is no mercury trace found in the home septic system or in laboratory products.
Martínez maintains that Total Transcendence primarily promotes Buddhist culture and asserts that no harm occurred. If a mistake happened, it would likely be treated administratively. He attributes the searches of properties to personal motives by individuals pursuing false interests. While seeking to prove innocence, the defense notes that the events could jeopardize years of work for many people and potentially cast the foundation in a negative light.