By Mark Forbes
The Age
April 17, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/expriest-fights-childabuse-extradition/2008/04/17/1208025378269.html
Australia has asked Indonesia to extradite a former Catholic priest accused of molesting his parishioners' children, so he can face child abuse charges in Adelaide.
South Jakarta District Court began hearing the application against Charles Barnett yesterday. It was presented with details of alleged sexual assaults against nine boys between 1977 and 1994.
Soon after the last alleged offence Mr Barnett moved to Indonesia, where he has taught English and runs a clothing business.
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| Barnett, right, with his lawyer in a Jakarta court today. |
If successful, it will be the first extradition from Indonesia to Australia in a criminal case. It is seen as an important precedent for cooperation between law enforcement agencies and a number of further applications are expected to follow.
Bernard Tifaona, the lawyer for the 67-year-old Mr Barnett, said they would fight extradition on the grounds of his age and claim the incidents did not constitute pedophilia.
Outside the court, Mr Tifaona said Mr Barnett had admitted masturbating with the boys, but denied having sex with them. "He considered them adults, not children," Mr Tifaona said.
All the boys were 15 or 16 when the incidents occurred. The numerous instances of sexual contact with the nine boys were similar in detail.
In all the cases Mr Barnett visited the boys in their homes after befriending their families, who were usually members of his congregation. The alleged incidents occurred around Adelaide and in Port Pirie.
Trusted by the families, Mr Barnett was allowed to spend time with their children and in one instanced permitted to stay overnight in a 16-year-old's room.
Mr Barnett would show the boys pornography, touch their genitals and masturbate, the court was told.
Indonesia police arrested Mr Barnett on February 20, after receiving an application from Australian authorities.
The case was adjourned until Monday, when Mr Tifaona will present statements from Mr Barnett's staff, claiming he was of good character.
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