Russian Priest Suspected of Abusing Children Is Arrested in Israel

A Russian priest wanted in his home country on suspicion of sexually abusing children was arrested by Interpol in Israel, reports say.

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Gleb Grozovsky is suspected of abusing two girls, ages 9 and 12, in June 2013 at a hotel on the Greek island of Kos, as well as of committing “a range of similar crimes in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region,” according to the country's Investigative Committee, quoted by the Russian news service RIA Novosti.

Last year, the priest, who media reports say is 34 or 35, was put on an international wanted list, at Russia’s request, RIA Novosti reported.

The Israeli news service Arutz Sheva reported that Grozovsky has denied the charges.

Arutz Sheva also reported that Israeli prosecutors have asked the Jerusalem District Court to approve Grozovsky's extradition to Russia. Meantime, Israeli authorities asked the court to hold him in custody until the extradition proceedings are complete, the news service reported.

Israel's Justice Ministry said Grozovsky arrived in Israel in September 2013 as a tourist and applied for citizenship, but his request was rejected and he was asked to leave, Arutz Sheva reported.