The Investigating Court No. 2 of Granada has opened preliminary proceedings to investigate a priest from the metropolitan area of the city for alleged crimes of sexual assault and threats, following a complaint filed with the Civil Guard by a 42-year-old woman, according to OK Diario. The procedure is in an initial instruction phase and, for the moment, no judicial statements have been taken.
The reported facts
According to the complaint, the facts date back to early May, during the celebration of the Las Cruces festival. The woman claims that the priest took a photograph of her with his mobile phone while she was in a square with some friends, a gesture that caught her attention.
Days later, on May 7, the complainant attended mass. At the end of the celebration, already in the town square, the priest approached her and made a comment about her physical appearance. When she asked him if he had taken a photograph of her days before, the priest allegedly responded with sexual remarks, according to the account in the complaint.
The woman then warned him of her intention to report the facts to the authorities. At that moment, according to her testimony, the priest took her hand and brought it to his genitals, uttering derogatory expressions.
A subsequent episode inside the temple
According to the complaint, the woman reacted by raising her voice, which attracted the attention of several people present. In that context, the priest allegedly adopted a defensive attitude and entered the church, asking the woman to come in to talk.
Once inside the temple, the priest allegedly proposed to perform oral sex on her and, after she reiterated her intention to report him, responded with gestures interpreted as threatening.
The complainant sought help at a nearby establishment and was later taken to a hospital center, where she was treated for an anxiety attack.
Evolution of the judicial procedure
Following the complaint, the court initially initiated a procedure for a minor offense of threats, which this month has been converted into preliminary proceedings, thereby expanding the scope of the investigation. The priest has filed an appeal with the Provincial Court of Granada.
For the moment, no precautionary measures have been ordered nor have statements been taken from the parties involved.
The response from the Archdiocese of Granada
The Archdiocese of Granada has confirmed that it is aware of the ongoing judicial procedure and has emphasized that there is no final conviction or precautionary measures against the investigated priest.
The archdiocese has insisted on the need to respect the presumption of innocence while the instruction develops, has expressed its trust in the administration of justice, and has noted that the priest has shown collaboration with the judicial authority to clarify the facts.
Awaiting instruction
The case remains open and its evolution will be decisive both in the judicial and ecclesial spheres, especially regarding the eventual adoption of canonical measures once the facts are clarified. In the meantime, the investigation continues in a preliminary phase, without judicial pronouncements on the merits of the matter.