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Outlook: Held captive by a cult for 30 years

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Katy Morgan-Davies (credit: BBC/Perry Images)

07/03/2019 GMT

Held captive by a cult for 30 years

BBC World Service - Outlook, Held captive by a cult for 30 years

Katy Morgan-Davies was born into a cult in south London and held as a virtual prisoner

Katy Morgan-Davies was born into a cult in south London. For three decades she was held as a virtual prisoner until she was able to devise a way to get out.

Katy Morgan-Davies spent her entire life living as a virtual prisoner. She'd been born into a Maoist cult, ruled over by a domineering leader called Aravindan Balakrishnan, also known as AB or Comrade Bala. They'd lived not in some remote compound, but in the densely-packed streets of south London. After 30 years of life in the cult, Katy was able to devise her escape.

Swede Olle Strandberg broke his neck doing an acrobatic jump. Ten years later he reattempted the jump. But this time he did it suspended high in the sky by a hot air balloon. 

There's a workshop in Naples, Italy, which is known for its umbrellas. Four generations of one family have poured their hearts into hand-crafting them. Outlook's Alessia Cerantola went to meet the Talaricos.

Image: Katy Morgan-Davies
Credit: BBC/Perry Images

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