IQALUIT - A priest who returned from Belgium this month to face sex crime allegations in Iglulik is facing two new sex-related charges, following a court appearance on Jan. 24.

Eric Dejaeger is now facing nine charges, including two new sex-related charges as well as one count of failure to appear in court. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

Eric Dejaeger, 63, was arrested upon arriving in Canada Jan. 20 on a warrant issued in 2002 for three charges each of buggery and indecent assault for incidents alleged to have occurred between 1978 and 1982 in Iglulik.

He had been living in Belgium since 1995.

The new charges are two counts of indecent assault related to incidents alleged to have occurred between Sept. 4, 1978 and Sept. 3, 1980 in Iglulik.

Senior Crown attorney Paul Bychok said the new allegations came this month after the suspect was arrested in Canada.

He added Dejaeger is also facing one new charge of failure to appear in court as the accused did not show up for a June 13, 1995 court date. Court heard more charges could be laid as the police investigation continues.

Justice of the peace court also heard Andrew Mahar will now represent Dejaeger, replacing legal aid lawyer Mandy Sammurtok.

Dejaeger turned himself in to Belgian police last fall before being released in that country.

He was arrested in Belgium Jan. 3 because he was living as an illegal immigrant and was held in Bruges in a centre for illegal aliens until he was returned to Canada.

Dejaeger was convicted on eight counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in Baker Lake in 1990 and was sentenced to five years in prison, according to information provided by the Northwest Territories Courts.

Dejaeger's next court appearance is Feb. 9.

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