Former Pastor Facing Child Sex Assault Charges
Calgary Herald
Child abuse investigators have charged a former pastor in connection with alleged sexual assaults dating back to 1994. The charges came after a person contacted police to report a series of sexual assaults that allegedly occurred during counselling sessions with a pastor. The person has reported 50 to 60 cases of assault, including sexual touching and molestation, Staff Sgt. Robert Rutledge said. They occurred over a nearly two year period, beginning in 1994 when the alleged victim was 11 years old, Rutledge said. The boy came forward to police in 1996 but due to his young age the family decided not to pursue the matter before the courts, opting instead to have it resolved through the church, the sergeant said. The grown man and his family contacted police with the same allegations in 2012, when detectives reopened the file, re-interviewed witnesses and consulted the Crown prosecutor’s office. “The victim was almost 20 years older at this point, was safe, has had no contact with the alleged offender for many, many years, (and had) good family support,” Rutledge said. When asked if other accusers have come forward, police said they are speaking with a number of people but no other charges have been laid. Wagdi Yuosif Iskander, 52, of Calgary, is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference with a child under 14. At the time the abuse allegedly occurred, Iskander was the pastor of the Arabic Baptist Church, which used space at the Cambrian Heights Baptist Church. The Arabic Baptist Church is now known as the Arabic Alliance Church and uses space at the Foothills Alliance Church. Iskander was an active pastor until 2012, according to police. Contact: rsouthwick@calgaryherald.com
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