Volunteer at Ottawa synagogue facing sexual assault charges

Police say a 62-year-old man is facing charges related to alleged sexual assaults involving a minor that happened at a synagogue in Ottawa in 2022. (Ottawa Police Service/ handout)

The Ottawa Police Service says a 62-year-old man is facing charges related to alleged sexual assaults involving a minor that happened at a synagogue in the capital in 2022.

Officers say the investigation started after police received information about an incident involving a 14-year-old female and a volunteer at a synagogue.

Aklilu Afowerk has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and breach order from sexual offence conviction.

Afowerk has previously worked as a property manager, where he was charged and convicted with sexual interference with another person under 16 in Feb. 2022, according to documents received from the court.

He was serving a prohibition order, demanding that he stays at least 1.2 Kilometres away from the victim and their family for 10 years. Afowerk was also sentenced to be imprisoned for two years “less than a day.”

“This order permits you to serve the jail sentence in the community as long as you obey all the conditions of this order,” reads the court’s conditional sentence order.

He was also serving a three-year probation order as of Jan. 29, 2024.

The city’s police service believes there could be other victims. A photo of Afowerk has been released.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, extension 5944, or leave a tip electronically at [e-mail]. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).