Germany national charged with defilement, child trafficking

CRIME|JUSTICE

MASAKA - Kalangala based German Bernhard Bery Glaser,70, has appeared before Masaka Chief Magistrates Court facing 28 counts connected to aggravated defilement and child trafficking.

This is the second time Glaser has been arrested and charged with offences relating to sex abuse.

The Masaka Chief Magistrate, Deogratius Ssejjemba read the charges and immediately committed him to the High Court for trial on Tuesday. This was after prosecution told the court that inquiries into the cases were complete.

"I have committed the files to the High Court, the state and counsel will communicate further developments," he said.

Glaser who looked calm said he understood the charges.

His lawyer James Nuwagaba said he would apply for bail for his client at High Court.

Glaser arrived at Masaka Court at 2:00 pm from Kibuli CID headquarters.

He has been running an organisation called Ssese Humanitarian Services for over 10 years at Mwena in Kalangala where he reportedly provides shelter to child survivors of sexual violence, sex trafficking and those at risk of sex abuse.

He enrolled over 30 girls aged between three and 20 years.

Glaser was first arrested on December 1, 2013, on suspicion of sexually abusing 19 minors under his care in Kalangala. But was later acquitted by the court.

Recently, a team from the Police Directorate of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) raided Glaser's in Kalangala where they arrested his wife Ingrid Dilen and rescued at least 11 children.  Police did not find Glaser at his home by then. But he was arrested later when he reported to Police.