Editor’s note: Edmonton police initially said the accused was a deacon at a specific church but later issued a correction removing that name from its news release.
A leader of a north-central Edmonton church has been arrested and accused of sexually assaulting an underage person.
The Edmonton Police Service said the incident happened in November 2025 when the accused was a deacon at a church which EPS said was leasing space from another property near 121 Avenue and 103 Street for weekly services.
Get daily National news
A deacon typically assists the pastor with various practical duties.
Frezghi Zerezghi, 48, was arrested on Dec. 12, and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.
Sexual interference charges are laid when police believe a suspect has touched a person who is under the age of consent — in Canada, that’s under 16 years old — for a sexual purpose.
- Former head of Alberta Health Services tells Edmonton court she fears for her safety
- Crown suggests man killed, disposed of neighbour at barbecue smoke trial
- Stacey Duke to receive new trial as appeals court sets aside 3 of 6 child sex crime convictions
- Police investigating death of 3-year-old girl east of downtown Edmonton
Zerezghi was released on conditions. Police have reason to believe there may be other victims and are encouraging them to come forward.
Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone.
Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
Comments
Comments closed.
Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.
Please see our Commenting Policy for more.