Witnesses to appear via video link in upcoming defamation trial waged by former New Age leader

Ten interstate witnesses will give evidence by video link next month in a defamation trial waged by a former New Age leader who now calls Tasmania home.

The Bears Went Over the Mountain, Geeveston

Ten interstate witnesses will give evidence by video link next month in a defamation trial waged by a former New Age leader who now calls Tasmania home.

Natasha Lakaev, who now owns Geeveston bed and breakfast The Bears Went Over the Mountain, previously ran a New South Wales spiritual development organisation called Universal Knowledge.

She is now suing one of her former followers, Carli McConkey, for defamation.

In her amended defence filed with the court, Ms McConkey describes Ms Lakaev as dishonest and was a “cult” leader.

Ms Lakaev says she was defamed in Ms McConkey book The Cult Effect, in newspaper articles reproduced within the book, and via social media posts.

Ms McConkey has made a number of allegations in these publication, including that she was brainwashed into believing Ms Lakaev was a reincarnation of Jesus Christ and one of 12 on the “Intergalactic Council of the Universe”.

A trial is due to unfold in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on May 15.

On Wednesday, Justice Helen Wood ruled that Ms McConkey, who lives interstate, could call evidence from her 10 New South Wales and Queensland witnesses via video link.

“It will be inconvenient and expensive for these witnesses to be called to Hobart,” she said.

Lawyer Daniel Zeeman said his client, Ms Lakaev, had instructed him not to provide her list of witnesses to Ms McConkey.

Justice Wood ordered the witness list be provided to Ms McConkey by the end of this week.

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