Russian Priest Charged with Pedophilia Goes on Trial

RAPSI
June 2, 2017

http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20170602/278826572.html


A criminal case against Russian priest Gleb Grozovsky, who stands charged with sexual abuse of children, has been forwarded to court, the Investigative Committee’s St. Petersburg Directorate announced on its website on Friday.

Investigators have built a sufficient evidence base, the statement reads.

According to investigators, Grozovsky committed several crimes against minors in 2011 and 2013.

In 2013, he fled to Israel and applied for citizenship. However, his application was dismissed.

In April 2014, Grozovsky was put on the international wanted list. Israeli police arrested him in September. In January 2015, a court in Jerusalem ruled that the priest should be extradited to Russia pursuant to the European Convention on Extradition. The ruling was appealed but rejected. In April 2016, the Justice Minister signed an order on Grozovsky’s extradition.

In September 2016, the priest was extradited from Israel to Russia.

Defense lawyers claim that charges against Grozovsky are politically motivated.