vancouverdesi.com
Published: August 22, 2014
THE CANADIAN PRESS
PEACE RIVER, Alta. — 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)
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Priest accused of sexual assault back in court
PR Record Gazette
Friday, August 22, 2014 1:40:50 MDT PM
By Adam Dietrich, Peace River Record-Gazette
Following a preliminary inquiry in Peace River, an arraignment date has been set for a Catholic priest from Manning, charged with sexual offences involving a minor.
Father Abraham Azhakathu, faces one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference. He appeared in court in Peace River on Thursday, Aug. 21 to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.
His accuser was also present to give evidence.
Judge C.K. Thietke ruled that there was enough evidence to go to trial and an arraignment date was set for Sept. 5.
Since his arrest in March, Azhakathu has been on recognizance, he has been required to remain in Alberta but outside of Manning. The courts had required him to surrender his passport.
Azhakathu is not a Canadian citizen. He had been on loan to the St. James the Major parish, which covers northwestern Alberta, since 2009. He is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle based in Kerala State, India.
After the arraignment date had been set, defense counsel Robert Marceau, asked the judge to return Azhakathu’s passport and allow him to return to his home in India. Marceau said that Azhakathu’s brother had died in June and asked that the judge to grant his client permission to visit his family.
Judge Thietke denied the request, he said because Azhakathu was not a Canadian citizen, allowing him to have his passport would make him a flight risk. The judge said that because of public interest in the case and the seriousness of the charges they must take all precautions to ensure Azhakathu remains in Alberta to stand trial.
Azhakathu was arrested in Manning on March 8 after a youth came forward alleging sexual assault. He was released on March 9 after a Judicial Interim Release hearing. His release included strict conditions not to be alone with anyone under the age of 16.
During an earlier appearance the judge ordered a publication ban prohibiting any information that may identify the complainant.
Manning is located about 100 km north of Peace River.
adam.dietrich@sunmedia.ca
Thank goodness his passport wasn’t returned. How foolish would that be?!
Anyway, the judge found there was sufficient evidence to commit Father Abraham Azhakathu to stand trial. That is a relief I am sure for the complainant and his/her family. As always keep them in your prayers.
The West is getting more and more priests from abroad. Some become citizens, some don’t. No one knows their backgrounds….why they are brought here other than to fill a position. Sometimes, I can’t help but be suspicious because priests from the West (who abuse) also get exported to foreign countries and parishioners are unsuspecting until….