Israel will not extradite Grozovsky to Russia - priest
ST. PETERSBURG/JERUSALEM. Feb 10 (Interfax) - Russian priest Gleb Grozovsky, who has been accused of sexually abusing two children, has said that Israel, where he is currently staying, will not extradite him to Russia.
"I think there is nothing to worry about because Israel is not going to extradite me as a criminal, but I have long agreed to return as a free citizen, of which the investigative committee has already been notified," Grozovsky told Interfax.
My Israeli lawyer is now working to extend my legal stay in Israel, Grozovsky said.
But hopefully, my stay abroad will not last for long, the priest said.
"I hope this will not last for months because I hate asking my friends to help with money. One benefactor got an impression that since everyone is helping, his participation would be unnecessary and he did not help," Grozovsky said.
"Regrettably, lawyers do not work for God's glory, they need to be paid money. I cannot get employed in Israel, one has to have the citizenship for that," he said.
I am ready to go back to my home country once "false accusations and the in absentia arrest are dropped" and "I am guaranteed a safe return," the priest said.
"As a Russian citizen, I am entitled to presumption of innocence, which has been violated. I hope investigators will look into it and assure themselves of my innocence, and the case will be closed before trial," Grozovsky said.
According to the inquiry, in June 2013 the 34-year-old Grozovsky committed violence of a sexual nature against two girls aged nine and 12 at a hotel located on the grounds of a children's summer camp of the Christian Orthodox Travellers' Club called Philadelphia on the Greek island of Kos.
Grozovsky was arrested in absentia and declared an international fugitive. At the time, the priest was on a business trip in Israel where has remained since.
In November 2013 the Gatchino Diocese discontinued Grozovsky's business trip and urged him to go back to Russia. He has been suspended from religious services pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The priest has not pleaded guilty.