Trial of Suspected German pedophile starts today
The hearing a case in which German national Bernhard Berry Glaser is expected to start today at Masaka High Court.
In a letter addressed to the Directorate of Public Prosecution dated October 11, Masaka High Court Judge, Justice Winfred Nabisinde indicated that the hearing will end on October 25.
Glaser, the Director of Ssese Humanitarian Service, an NGO located in Mwena landing site in Kalangala district is facing eight charges of aggravated defilement and 19 counts of aggravated child trafficking.
It’s alleged that in 2007 and in November 2013 at Mwena Landing site in Kalangala district Glaser abused the power and authority he had over the minors that were under his care and sexually assaulted them.
On August 23, Justice Nabisinde asked that Glaser be taken through a week-long trial, but his lawyers Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng and Leister Kaganzi objected. The lawyers argued that their client is sick and needs immediate treatment.
However, tempers last month when Justice Nabisinde ruled that Mr Glaser is medically fit to stand trial.
This came after the judge received medical reports from different doctors indicating that the accused person was not seriously ill as claimed by his lawyers
The accused also refused to take plea on grounds that he was only comfortable speaking Flemish, a dialect in Belgium. Court, however, didn't have an interpreter who knew Flemish language.
Glaser was first arrested in December 2013 on suspicion of sexually abusing 19 minors under his care in Kalangala, central Uganda.
He was later acquitted by court after the state failed to get incriminating evidence against him.
In February this year, police detectives raided Glaser’s home in Kalangala and rescued at least 11 children living under his care. Police did not find Glaser at his home at the time. He was arrested later when he presented himself to police.
