Mounties in Alberta charge Catholic priest in sex assault of minor, CTV (March 9, 2014)

Mounties in Alberta charge Catholic priest in sex assault of minor

Police have charged 59-year-old Abraham Azhakathu with sexual assault and sexual interference.

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MANNING, Alta. -- A Catholic priest in northwestern Alberta has been charged in the sexual assault of a minor.

RCMP say Abraham Azhakathu, 59, of Manning, Alberta, was arrested Friday and faces charges of sexual assault and sexual interference.

Police say the alleged assaults occurred in 2013 and were reported by the minor to RCMP in Manning.

They say Azhakathu was a priest practising in the Manning area during that time.

Police are not releasing the alleged victim's age or sex in order to protect the person's identity.

Azhakathu has been released on strict conditions not to be alone with anyone under the age of 16.

He is set to appear in Peace River Provincial Court a week from Monday.

Police say they are still investigating