Grozovsky transferred to prison for terrorists in Israel, his personal belongings removed - defense

Interfax
July 09, 2015

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=12168

Moscow, July 9, Interfax - Health of priest Gleb Grozovsky, who is accused of pedophilia and is under arrest in Israel, is of great concern to his defense after the priest was transferred to prison for terrorists and his personal belongings were taken away.

"Last week Grozovsky was transferred to a different Israeli prison - for terrorists, where he was placed in a cell with seven Arabs not speaking English and with whom he can not communicate. At that, his personal belongings - inner rason he put under his head, Gospel - were removed, even tooth brush and [tooth] paste were taken. During the transfer to a new cell significant share of his belongings was supposedly lost. Manuscripts with notes on life in prison were taken from him as well," Grozovsky's public defender Andrey Murashko told Interfax.

"Difficult conditions were created for Grozovsky and, as we believe, this could be related to our complaints. He is not provided with dental care, and his knee injury received at Kos Island is back. He is in pain but no one is treating him. At the same time, prison employees are rude. He is trying to file complaints but this is useless and local lawyer does not advise him to do this for some reason. I am concerned he will be killed in prison. We fear for his life," Murashko said.

According to attorney's information, some directive stating the necessity to extradite the priest as soon as possible has arrived from Russia to Israel.

"A directive has come from Russia to ensure his extradition to Russia as soon as possible. Such unprecedented attention to the case of village priest is astounding. The scale of attention is as if patriarch's destiny depends on it. I become more and more convinced that the case has political agenda," Murashko said.

On Wednesday the Frunzensky district court dismissed Grozovsky lawsuit seeking moral compensation for circulation of information defaming the priest, which was filed in February regarding St. Petersburg news agency and a private individual, the lawyer said.

Hearings regarding extradition of Grozovsky from Israel to Russia are officially scheduled in the Jerusalem supreme court on July 29, 2015, Murashnko has told Interfax. The proceedings could end in September-October 2015, he said.

It has been reported that on January 19 the Jerusalem district court ruled to extradite to Russia priest Grozovsky accused of pedophilia. The ruling was appealed.

Investigators believe that in summer 2011, while being cleric at the Ascension Cathedral in Tsarskoye Selo, Grozovsky sexually assaulted several minors under 14 years old during summer camp at Konevets Island in the Leningrad region.

According to the information of investigators, in 2013 Grozovsky committed sexually assault at orthodox youth camp Philadelphia in Greece, where he was senior priest of the Church of Holy Martyr John The Warrior.

Since Grozovsky fled criminal prosecution, in October 2013 he was arrested in absentia and placed on the international wanted list. According to Grozovsky, he was on a business trip in Israel. In November 2013 the Gatchina eparchy said Grozovsky's trip was terminated. While investigation is held, the priest has been suspended from serving.