Russian orthodox priest charged with child grooming, indecent assault of teenage boy

By Kate Aubusson
Sydney Morning Herald
August 20, 2015

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/russian-orthodox-priest-charged-with-child-grooming-indecent-assault-of-teenage-boy-20150820-gj42l9.html

A Russian Orthodox priest has been charged with child grooming and indecent assault of a 15-year-old boy. 

Detectives from the sex crimes squad arrested the 33-year-old man at the Villawood Detention Centre on Wednesday in connection to the alleged abuse of the teenager.

The Russian orthodox priest, who arrived in Australia in 2013, had been communicating with the 15-year-old Belarusian boy over the internet.

The teen arrived in Australia in July 2014 and moved in with the priest at a church in Sydney's inner west.

At the time, sex crimes squad detectives and the AFP formed Strike Force Zama to investigate allegations concerning the priest's behaviour. 

As a result of their investigation the priest's visa was cancelled by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and he was moved to Villawood Detention Centre.

The priest was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault, one count of grooming a child under 16 years for unlawful sexual activity and one count of detain for advantage.

He was refused bail before appearing in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday. 

He was remanded in custody to next appear at Burwood Local Court in October.