Greek archbishop suspected of sexual harassment

Police question Elias Chacour, head of Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Israel, over lewd acts he allegedly committed five years ago

Elias Chacour, the archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church is suspected of sexually harassing a woman who works in the community he heads, Ynet learned on Wednesday.

Earlier this week Chacour was questioned under caution for a number of hours.

He was released on bail under restricting conditions.

According to the police, the incident in question took place some five years ago and they are not aware of any others.

The woman filed the compliant some two years ago, but due to the suspect’s status, various law enforcement agencies had to give their authorization before an investigation was launched.

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein approved the investigation against Chacour, which is headed by Israel Police’s National Fraud Unit.

The archbishop reportedly cooperated with the investigators but has denied the allegations.

The investigators, however, found the complainant’s version to be credible.