The State Attorney has filed an indictment with the Jerusalem District Court against Thiago Cardozo, a Brazilian citizen who served as a priest at the Chapel of Our Lady of Sion in Jerusalem's Ein Karem neighborhood.
He is accused of sexual offenses against five children and teenagers between the ages of 12 and 14, including a boy with autism spectrum disorder.
According to the indictment, Cardozo met his victims through his work and regularly invited them to spend time or spend the night at the monastery, offering them to watch movies and play computer games. He also gave them gifts.
Cardozo committed lewd acts on the teenagers, disregarding their protests and requests to leave them alone. The teenagers and their families belonged to the Catholic community and were, therefore, dependent on the priest.
Thiago Cardozo is charged with committing lewd acts on minors under the age of 16.