Travel Request from Alberta Priest Accused of Sexual Assault Rejected

Lethbridge Herald
August 22, 2014

http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/provincial-news/2014/08/22/travel-request-from-alberta-priest-accused-of-sexual-assault-rejected/

A Catholic priest in northwestern Alberta who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor has been told he cannot travel outside Canada to attend a funeral because he is considered a flight risk.

The order was issued following a preliminary hearing Thursday in Peace River for Abraham Azhakathu, who is facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference.

The 59-year-old man’s brother died in India earlier this year, but a request by the accused to participate in a memorial service was rejected by both the Crown prosecutor and provincial court Judge C. K. Thietke (TEE’-kah).

The priest, who remains free under strict conditions, will return to court Sept. 5 in Peace River to set a trial date.

RCMP have said the alleged assaults occurred in 2013 and were reported to police by the minor.

Azhakathu was practising in the Manning area at the time. (CKYL)