EDMONTON (CANADA)
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) [Toronto, Canada]
February 12, 2026
By Wallis Snowdon
Police believe there may be more victims of church leader
A former deacon has been accused of sexual assault and sexual contact with a child during his time as a church leader in central Edmonton.
Frezghi Zerezghi, 48, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. The latter charge means he is alleged to have touched a person under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose.
At the time of the assault, Zerezghi was serving as a deacon at an Edmonton church, according to a news release from the Edmonton Police Service.
Police have declined to name the congregation where Zerezghi served as church leader or provide more details on when he was removed from his post.
Police said the accused, during his time as a deacon, used a church in the area of 121st Avenue and 103th Street, just north of downtown, for weekly sermons.
Police said investigators have reason to believe others may have been victimized by Zerezghi and are encouraging them to come forward.
Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact Edmonton police.
Zerezghi was arrested on Dec. 12, 2025, but has signed a court undertaking and been released on conditions, police said.
He is due in the Edmonton Court of Justice on Feb. 24.
Court records show the alleged assault and sexual touching took place on November 29, 2025. The identity of the victim is protected by court-ordered publication ban. According to court staff, he has no previous criminal record.