ARGENTINA: Reverend Julio Cesar Grassi is sentenced to 15 years after his conviction of sexually abusing a boy is upheld by the Argentine courts effective immediately

Record ID: 334682

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Reverend Julio Cesar Grassi is sentenced to 15 years after his conviction of sexually abusing a boy is upheld by the Argentine courts effective immediately
  • Date: 24th September 2013
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIORS OF COURTHOUSE WHERE SENTENCING WILL TAKE PLACE PEOPLE OUTSIDE COURTHOUSE BOTH FOR AND AGAINST HIS CONVICTION BANNER READS 'LYING PEOPLE, WHY DON'T YOU ASK THE MOTHERS OF THE FOUNDATION WHAT OUR OPINION IS. NO ONE PAYS A PENNY HERE AND THANKS TO HAVING THE SCHOOL WE MOTHERS CAN WORK. WE LEAVE OUR CHILDREN HERE
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVACKVBMBLIBT6PTNGCO32WT55TO
  • Story Text: Reverend Julio Cesar Grassi's sentence to 15 years in prison on charges of sexually molesting one boy was upheld Monday (September 23) and he was immediately taken to prison.
    Although the court case had dragged on over the past year due to a lengthy appeal process, with Grassi placed under house arrest, the justices upheld charges that he had molested a boy in 1996
    at his "Happy Children" foundation and ordered him to prison effective immediately.
    Grassi spoke to the courtroom and accused the prosecution of lying.
    "It is a lie what Doctor Gallego (prosecuting attorney) is saying," he declared before being led away.
    "He lied to society about the charges of abuse and called me a pedophile."
    Outside the courtroom Gallegos told the press "the only alternative was to apply the law."
    "The appeals did nothing more than delay an action that was the only one that the law dictated and I believe that the Tribunal was very clear."
    Supporters of Grassi lashed out at the press as they made their way out of the courthouse after the sentencing.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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