Priest accused of sexually harassing minor released, issued a restraining order

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Priest P.P. from Kusiljevo near Svilajnac, who arrested on suspicion of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl, has been released from custody.

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As Telegraf.rs has been told by the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office (OJT) in Despotovac, he is prohibited from approaching, meeting or communicating with a certain person or visiting certain places, in accordance with Article 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

According to that article, as stated in the Law, if there are circumstances that indicate the accused could obstruct the proceedings by influencing the injured party, witnesses, accomplices or could repeat the crime, complete the attempted crime or commit the crime he is threatening, the court may prohibit the accused from approaching, meeting or communicating with a specific person or ban them from visiting certain places.

In addition to the measure referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the court may order the accused to occasionally report to the police, a commissioner from the state administration body responsible for execution of criminal sanctions or another state body as determined by law.

"Besides that, certain evidentiary actions are underway, after which a public prosecutor's decision on this criminal matter will be made," the OJT in Despotovac told our portal.

The priest was arrested on April 8 based on a report filed by the girl, who came to the police accompanied by her brother. The suspect P.P. was then remanded in custody for up to 30 days.

As announced earlier by the Police Administration in Jagodina, he is suspected of inappropriately touching the underage girl.

The media reported that P.P. did this while he was in the girl's family home, where he came to perform a ritual consecration ahead of Orthodox Christmas.

(Telegraf.rs)