Catholic Priest Damberga's Child Sexual Abuse Case to Be Heard Next Year

The Riga Regional Court is set to hear next year the criminal case of Catholic priest Mārtiņš Damberga, who is accused of sexually abusing a minor. An appeal was filed by the victim's representative and legal aid provider.

In the first instance, the Riga City Court sentenced Damberga to eight years in prison and two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay €27,210 in moral damages to the victim.

According to the prosecution, the defendant, a parish priest, after a church service, remained alone with the minor and committed sexual acts to satisfy his sexual desires, exploiting the child's trust. The crime endangered the victim's sexual inviolability, morality, and normal physical and mental development.

The accused does not admit his guilt. Following the charges, Damberga was relieved of his duties as parish priest, and Father Jānis Savickis was appointed administrator of the Riga St. Albert parish.

Currently, there is another similar case in Latvia – priest Pāvels Zeiļa from the Rēzekne-Aglona diocese is accused of sexual offenses together with another man, and his case is pending in the Kurzeme Regional Court.