Manning Priest Charged with Sexual Abuse and Interference

Beacon News
March 10, 2014

http://beaconnews.ca/blog/2014/03/manning-priest-charged-sexual-abuse-interference/

Manning Priest charged after minor reported incidents of sexual assault to RCMP.

A 59-year old Catholic Priest who was practising in the Manning area in 2013, is facing sex-related charges after a minor reported to police he was sexually assaulted by the accused.

Abraham Azhakathu has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. He was arrested on Friday, Mar. 8 and released from police custody late Saturday after a judicial interim release hearing.

Cpl. Carol McKinley of the RCMP says “The charges are as a result of a minor reporting the assaults that occurred during 2013, to RCMP in Manning”. She adds that as the matter is now before the courts, no further information will be released.

“Protection of the minor’s identity is paramount, and therefore, age and sex will not be released”, says McKinley.

Abraham Azhakathu has been released on strict conditions not to be alone with anyone under the age of 16 and to live outside of Manning, but remain in the province of Alberta.

Cpl. McKinley says “It is unknown if there are other victims and the RCMP’s investigation is ongoing”.

Abraham Azhakathu’s first court appearance is scheduled for Monday March 17, 2014, at Peace River Provincial Court.

Anyone with information this matter is asked to contact the Manning RCMP at (780) 836-3769 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: tttTIPS.com

TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

The town of Manning is located 73 km northwest of Peace River.

The charges against Abraham Azhakathu have not been proven in a court of law.