The man, who is a priest in Hamar diocese, has pleaded guilty. The priest was arrested on 12 January, and has been imprisoned for a week in complete isolation due to the risk of tampering with evidence. – The charge concerns the possession of videos and/or images that show sexual abuse of children, or that sexualise children, says police deputy in Innlandet police district, Hanna Sofie Karlsdatter Aronsen. The court believes that the priest can reasonably be suspected of being guilty of what the charge refers to. The provision carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to three years. The priest’s defender, Tore M. Famestad, tells news that he will not comment on the case at this time. Search of the home The police have seized a number of electronic devices belonging to the accused. – It is too early in the investigation to say anything about the extent, but the police have no evidence that the accused ordered abuse or committed abuse against minors, says Aronsen. The police investigated the case after they received a report against the priest. – On the basis of that, the court decided to search the accused, says deputy police officer Aronsen. According to the court’s assessment, there is an imminent danger that the priest will lose evidence in the case if the person in question is released. The risk of evidence loss applies in particular to the possibility of influencing electronically stored evidence. The content and extent of the material the accused has dealt with will be decisive for the sentencing, even if the priest has pleaded guilty after the charges – The accused is now in custody for a week so that the police can get an overview and secure the contents of the seized electronic devices, says the police deputy Hanna Sofie Karlsdatter Aronsen. The police will now investigate the case further to find out how many videos and pictures the priest has been in possession of. Taking a serious look at the case, Freddy Knutsen, diocesan director in Hamar diocese, says the police have informed the bishop and the Hamar diocese council that one of their employees has been remanded in custody. – We take the matter seriously. The person concerned is therefore not in service, says Knutsen. Diocese director Freddy Knutsen in Hamar diocese. Photo: Ola Bjørlo Strande / news The Diocesan Council was informed last week. – As an employer, we want to follow the development of the case, and handle this as a personnel matter, says Knutsen. Hamar diocese consists of 163 parishes. There are 229 churches in the diocese. The churches are served by around 120 priests.
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Priest detained and charged with possession of abuse material – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
