Israeli embassy in Russia confirms Grozovsky detention

Interfax
September 22, 2014

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=11521

Moscow, September 22, Interfax - The Israeli embassy in Moscow has confirmed the detention in Israel of Russian priest Gleb Grozovsky, who is accused of child molestation.

"I can confirm his detention," Alex Kagalsky, Israeli embassy press liaison officer, told Interfax.

In the meantime, the St. Petersburg police have received confirmation of Grozovsky's detention from Interpol.

"The St. Petersburg police received confirmation of the detention of priest Gleb Grozovsky on Sunday," a source in the law enforcement agencies told Interfax.

Grozovsky, whose extradition is being sought by Russia, has been detained in Israel for 48 hours, a source with knowledge on the situation told Interfax.

"In accordance with the Israeli laws, a person on the international wanted persons list is detained by police for 48 hours. In that period of time, a decision is made whether the person will be put into custody or not," the source said.

The source said the Russian priest, who is accused of child abuse in Russia, will most likely be released because he has been in Israel for a long time and has not hidden anywhere.

Investigators believe that in June 2013 Grozovsky, 34, sexually assaulted a 9-year-old and 12-year-old girl in a hotel at a children's camp at the Orthodox travelers club Philadelphia, on the Greek island of Cos.

Grozovsky, who was on a business trip at a center helping drug addicts in Israel and remains in Israel now, has been put on the international wanted list and placed under arrest in absentia. In November 2013, the Gatchina Eparchy reported that Grozovsky's business trip had been cancelled. Grozovsky has been suspended from ministry for the period of the investigation.

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has sent a request for Grozovsky's extradition to Israel.