Imam charged with sexual assault

TORONTO – Police have charged an imam at a Toronto mosque with 13 counts of sexual assault and say there may be more victims in other countries.

Det. Karen Armstrong said Wednesday Mohammad Masroor, 48, abused his position of authority when he taught the Quran to students at the Baitul Mukarram Islamic Society and in private homes in Toronto since arriving in Canada in 2008.

Armstrong says Masroor also worked and lived in France, Germany, Bangladesh, Hungary, Singapore, Sri Lanka and most recently in Florida and Michigan in the United States. Armstrong says they are appealing to the public to assist in finding other victims.

She says the charges involve five victims both male and female and that the investigation is ongoing.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects spelling of imam in headlines and style on Quran in text. For global distribution.)