ISRAEL
Times of Israel
BY MARISSA NEWMAN April 2, 2014
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Israel Police submitted a recommendation Wednesday that Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Elias Chacour, 74, former head of the Melkite Greek Catholic church in Israel, be prosecuted for sexual harassment and indecent assault of an employee.
“An evidential basis was formed that the suspect committed an offense of indecent assault and sexual harassment against the complainant,” a statement from the Lahav 433 crime unit read.
The findings will be transferred to the state attorney to determine whether to bring Chacour to trial.
The probe was launched after a complaint was filed by a senior worker in the church’s educational system, charging the then-archbishop with the above crimes, and claiming that Chacour had fired her following the offenses in 2008.
Chacour served as the archbishop from 2006 until 2014, the first Palestinian to hold the position. He submitted his resignation to Pope Francis earlier this year, in light of his declining health and, some claim, the harassment allegations against him.
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