Former Calgary Pastor Charged with Sexual Abuse

By Chris Bowen
660 nEWS
April 20, 2015

http://www.660news.com/2015/04/20/former-northeast-pastor-chaged-with-sexual-abuse/

A man who was once a pastor at a northeast church has been charged with a sexual assault dating back more than 20 years.

The Calgary Police Child Abuse Unit has charged 52-year-old Wagdi Yousif Iskander with Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference with a child under 14.

The alleged incidents happened during counselling sessions in 1994. Sgt. Robert Rutledge said the abuse continued for two years.

“We’re looking at approximately 50 to 60 incidents of sexual touching, masturbation, molesting over the course of when victim was 11 to 13,” Rutledge explained.

At the time, the accused was the pastor of the Arabic Baptist Church, which used space at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in the northwest. Iskander has not been a pastor for many years now.

Police say victim came forward in 1996, but the family chose not to pursue the matter before the courts because of the victim’s age. The case was reopened in 2012.

No word on when Iskander is due in court.

Police say for more information on how to recognize signs of child abuse, go to the website for the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre at www.sheldonkennedycac.ca.

Anyone with information on the above case is also asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

TEXT: 274637