Poland Seeks Answers in Dominican Republic Priest Paedophilia Case
The News
Poland may launch its own investigation into two Polish clergymen accused of paedophilia in the Dominican Republic. Attorney General Andrzej Seremet contacted the Polish Embassy in Colombia on Tuesday so as to clarify accusations in the case (the Bogota embassy's duties encompass the Caribbean island). Seremet has stated that if there is sufficient suspicion that a Polish citizen committed a crime abroad, proceedings can be initiated in Poland. “We must obtain official confirmation that an investigation is being carried out [in the Dominican Republic] and clarify precisely what it concerns,” said Mateusz Martyniuk, spokesman for the attorney general, in an interview with Poland's TVN news channel. On August 21, the Vatican recalled Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, former papal nuncio in the Dominican Republic. The recall occurred after the archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez, informed Pope Francis about the allegations. Archbishop Wesolowski and a second suspect, Father Wojciech Gil, were simultaneously suspended from their tenures, and the Vatican launched its own investigation. Dominican prosecutor Bolivar Sanchez has stated that seven boys between the ages of 13 and 18 have already been interviewed. Dominican authorities have confirmed that they would seek extradition of the suspects, if sufficient evidence is collected. Poland's attorney general has not yet commented on the possibility of extradition. However, the Vatican insisted earlier this month that it would cooperate with Dominican authorities. “The recall of the ambassador is by no means an effort to avoid taking responsibility for what might possibly be verified,” assured Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardy. Meanwhile, Polish media outlets have claimed that Father Wojciech Gil has returned to his family village south of Krakow.
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