An alleged cult leader has denied charges of organizing a cult group and using heresy to disturb law and order, a lawyer representing the leader told the Global Times Monday.

Five suspects of Huazangzongmen, or Huazang Dharma, which police raided in July 2014, were tried on Monday in the intermediate people's court in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

The first hearing, said to last for 10 days, focused on Wu Zeheng, the alleged cult leader, Lin Qilei, Wu's lawyer from the Beijing Ruikai law firm, told the Global Times.

Wu denied charges of organizing and using heresy to breach the law, rape, fraud and producing and selling toxic drugs and food.

The hearing was closed to the public to protect the victims' privacy, the court said.

Wu, who is from Jieyang, Guangdong Province, founded the Buddhism-inspired group in 1990. The group claimed thousands of followers.

Wu required female followers to enjoy "personal service" and forced them to have sex with him, China Central Television reported.

Wu demanded expensive gifts from his followers and some of them purchased his properties worth up to 1.3 million yuan ($209,405) in 2006, the report added.