Italian priest 'preyed on asylum seekers for sex'

The Local
October 20, 2015

http://www.thelocal.it/20151020/italian-priest-preyed-on-asylum-seekers-for-sex

Prosecutors in Sicily are seeking a 10-year prison term for a priest who allegedly extorted sex from asylum seekers in return for helping them to obtain residency permits.

Father Sergio Librizzi, who was arrested in June last year on aggravated sexual assault charges, allegedly preyed on asylum seekers staying at centres in the Trapani area, LiveSicilia reported.

He had been working on a committee which handled asylum claims when the alleged assaults took place. At the time of his arrest, investigators found a box containing some €10,000, which is thought to have been used as "offerings" to entice asylum seekers.

A former director at the Trapani branch of the Catholic charity, Caritas, Librizzi is also being probed in connection with separate charges related to the management of the centres, Ansa reported.

The next hearing is scheduled on October 22nd. The port city of Trapani is one of the main migrant arrival points in Sicily.