NIKOLSKOYE, Russia - Russian Orthodox priests have tried to persuade more than two dozen members of a doomsday cult to leave their underground forest hide-out in central Russia.
The church clergymen visited the refuge today, but the cult followers refused to listen to their arguments and have stayed to await what they say is the end of the world.
They have threatened to blow themselves up with about 400 litres of gasoline if authorities force them out of what officials describe as a cave or bunker about 640 kilometres southeast of Moscow.
A spokesman for the regional government, says officials are searching for experienced negotiators to try to coax the group out its hiding place.
Police are guarding the site, but there are no plans to forcibly remove the 29 people - including four children.
