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IQALUIT
A former Iglulik Catholic priest is now facing some 74 charges, after 18 new complainants came forward, a Crown prosecutor told the Nunavut Court of Justice on May 7.

Eric Dejaeger's charges include 66 that are sex-related, one count of failure to appear in court, two of assault, one of unlawful confinement, one of uttering threats, and three counts of 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 told the court a total of 39 complainants made allegations against the accused.

He added both the Crown and the defence have had, ongoing discussion about the case since the accused returned to Canada 18 months ago.

Dejaeger was deported to Canada from Belgium in January 2011 and arrested 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. The actual trial date still needs to be set but court heard it will likely take four weeks.

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

Dejaeger's next court appearance is scheduled for May 14 at 9:30 p.m.

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