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  Supreme Court Quashes Verdict of Serbian Priest Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

Associated Press, carried in International Herald Tribune
August 8, 2007

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/08/europe/EU-GEN-Serbia-Priest.php

Belgrade, Serbia: The Serbian Supreme Court has quashed the conviction of an Orthodox priest convicted of sexually abusing boys in a monastery, a court spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Jovan Misic was found guilty last year of "lewd behavior and sexual abuse" of several boys aged between seven and 11 in northern Vojvodina and sentenced to one year in prison.

But the priest appealed the conviction, claiming he was unable to defend himself properly in court because he did not receive a proper summons from the authorities.

The Supreme Court quashed the conviction, citing "procedural irregularities," said Vesna Dabic, the court spokeswoman.

No more legal action will be taken against Misic because the court proceedings had already taken too long, according to B92 Television. The first allegations were made in 2001.

The station quoted Misic as denying any wrongdoing and saying the court's decision was "God's will."

There was no immediate reaction from the boys' families.

 
 

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