Priest Grozovsky to be extradited to Russia soon

St. Petersburg, April 8, Interfax – Priest Gleb Grozovsky, placed on the wanted list over accusations of sexually assaulting two minors, should be extradited to Russia soon.

“Whatever the Russian law enforcement authorities do, I take this as something granted to me by God and wish for the fastest resolution of this case (…) I will return to Russia soon, where I will defend my innocence and the honor of Archpriest Viktor Grozovsky’s family because the Russian law enforcement authorities are already making an attempt to hold members of our big family criminally liable, and illegally, by inflicting psychological pressure,” Grozovsky posted on his account at Vkontakte social network.

It has been reported that the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sent to Israel, where the priest is, a request for his extradition to hold him criminally liable, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson said on April 7.

Investigators believe that in June 2013 Grozovsky, 34, sexually assaulted a 9-year-old and 12-year-old girl in a hotel at a children’s camp at the Orthodox travelers club Philadelphia, on the Greek island of Cos.

Grozovsky, who was on a business trip at a center helping drug addicts in Israel and who remains in Israel now, has been put on the international wanted list and placed under arrest in absentia.

The Gatchina Diocese said in November 2013 that the business trip of Grozovsky was cancelled and that the priest has been suspended from ministering while the investigation is being conducted.

Grozovsky has not admitted his guilt.