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IQALUIT
A former Iglulik Catholic priest, already facing 77 charges, will likely face at least one more, according to the Crown prosecutor, during a court appearance May 14.

Eric Dejaeger arrives at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on May 14. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

Eric Dejaeger's charges include 68 that are sex-related, one count each of failure to appear in court, uttering threats and unlawful confinement as well as three counts each of assault and use of violence to prevent reporting of suspicious activity.

The 65-year-old accused is also facing one count of indecent assault and gross indecency in Alberta.

Crown prosecutor Paul Bychok said outside the court Dejaeger will likely face at least one more charge. During Dejaeger's court appearance on May 14, the Crown elected to proceed by indictment - which involves more severe punishment if there is a conviction - on the latest 38 charges.

Dejaeger was deported from Belgium to Canada in January 2011. He was arrested upon his arrival in Canada on a 2002 warrant for three charges of buggery and indecent assault for incidents alleged to have occurred between 1978 and 1982 in Iglulik.

In 1990, Dejaeger was convicted on eight counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in Baker Lake and was sentenced to five years in prison.

The accused waived his right to a preliminary hearing during his Jan. 9 court appearance. A trial date still needs to be set but the court heard it will likely require four weeks.

The court had indicated his trial will be held in Iqaluit.

Dejaeger's next court appearance is scheduled for July 16 at 1:30 p.m.

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