Police arrest alleged leader of 'Zizian' cult tied to US killings

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - The alleged leader of the radical vegan cult-like group, Zizians, has been arrested in the US state of Maryland after months of evading capture.

Maryland authorities confirmed the arrest of Jack "Ziz" Lasota on Sunday, alongside two other group members: Michelle Zajko, 33, who is a key figure in the double homicide of her parents in Pennsylvania, and Daniel Blank, 26.

The group is linked to at least six deaths across the US

The Zizians are associated with the murder of US Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border in January, as well as five other killings in the states of Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California.

The three suspects face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstruction of justice and possession of a handgun in their vehicle.

Lasota, who expressed radical views on animal rights through a personal blog, was part of a small faction of anarchist-leaning rationalists who criticized the broader community for undervaluing animal welfare.