Priest of Gospić-Senj Diocese charged with sexual harassment of colleague
The Karlovac State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against a 35-year-old priest for six criminal offences of sexual harassment committed between 2017 and 2022.
Indictment against priest from Gospić: six criminal offences of sexual harassment
The Municipal State Prosecutor's Office in Karlovac has filed an indictment before the Municipal Court in Gospić against a 35-year-old priest of the Gospić-Senj Diocese, reports 24sata. He is charged with six criminal offences of sexual harassment of another priest, allegedly committed between 2017 and 2022.
According to the indictment, the defendant abused the relationship of trust and authority and through inappropriate physical contact violated the victim's dignity and placed them in a humiliating position. The prosecution proposes that the court prohibit him from performing a specific duty or activity. Details of the case have not been made public in order to protect the victim.
The case became public in April, after police launched an investigation based on a report filed by the Diocese itself. The Diocese confirmed that it had taken measures in accordance with Church regulations and stated that it has zero tolerance for abuse. This is the first such case in the 16 years of existence of the Diocese.
The defendant has been temporarily suspended from Church duties and is presumed innocent until a final conviction.
Source: 24sata