`Priests' held on sex offences
Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 13 Sep 2008: 9.
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Tony Golossian and Arthur Psichogios, who allegedly passed themselves off as lay priests toSydney's Greek community, were already on bail over similarallegations concerning another woman.
Fairfield local area commander Gary Bailey praised the courage of the women who had come forward. Acting Superintendent Bailey said the older man, after telling the women they had been cursed, charged them between $500 and $1000 for numerous prayer sessions to remove the evil, held in hotel rooms between 2001 and 2005. The women were allegedly blindfolded and sexually abused.
TWO men, who allegedly claimed they could speak to angels and remove curses, were arrested yesterday in relation to more than 220 sexual offences against a young woman.
Tony Golossian and Arthur Psichogios, who allegedly passed themselves off as lay priests toSydney's Greek community, were already on bail over similarallegations concerning another woman.
They allegedly claimed the curses could only be removed by sexual acts, and charged the women up to $1000 a session. Police allege both victims may have been drugged during the incidents.
The victim whose evidence led to yesterday's arrests believed she and her family had been cursed by a member of the Greek community practising black magic and that they would all suffer terrible consequences, including death and illness, unless the curse was removed. Police, who arrested the men at their inner west homes yesterday morning, believe there may be more victims and have called for them to come forward.
Mr Golossian, 61, was taken to hospital after he arrived at Burwood police station suffering from chest pains. He was under guard in hospital last night, and will be charged with 151 offences when he is released.
He is alleged to have claimed to be a spiritual mentor who was able to speak to angels to remove curses and banish evil spirits, including the evil eye.
Mr Psichogios, a 38-year-old father of three, was refused bail after being charged with 79 offences, including 68 sexual assaults. Both men allegedly passed themselves off as high-ranking members of the Greek Orthodox and Coptic communities, but police say there is no evidence linking them to the communities or to any church.
In refusing bail in Burwood Local Court, magistrate Jane Mottley said the number of charges and the likely length of a custodial sentence provided a strong motivation to flee.
She said the alleged behaviour showed a "sophisticated scheme of activity" and she must have consideration for the welfare of the community. "There has been a high degree of planning and premeditation," she said.
Fairfield local area commander Gary Bailey praised the courage of the women who had come forward. Acting Superintendent Bailey said the older man, after telling the women they had been cursed, charged them between $500 and $1000 for numerous prayer sessions to remove the evil, held in hotel rooms between 2001 and 2005. The women were allegedly blindfolded and sexually abused.
The women were reportedly convinced the sexual activity was a necessary part of removing the curse. Hotel receipts form part of the evidence.
Credit: John Stapleton
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