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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Two Roman Catholic priests have been arrested on suspicion of sexually and physically abusing at least eight children at a school for youths with hearing disabilities, Argentine authorities say.
The priests are Nicolas Corradi, 82, and Horacio Corbacho, 55. Three other men who worked at the school in northeastern Argentina were also arrested this week. The suspects have not yet commented publicly about the allegations.
The government of Mendoza province has suspended classes at the Antonio Provolo Institute, the school for children with hearing impairment. It has also banned faculty and staff from having any contact with students.
The Mendoza archbishop's office expressed solidarity with the victims and said it is cooperating with authorities.
The abuse allegations surfaced after a complaint by provincial lawmaker Daniela Garcia, who spoke to a witness through an interpreter.
"It was the first way so that other witnesses and victims could then come forward and denounce what was happening," Garcia said Wednesday.
Authorities are taking testimony from students as well as parents who suspect their children were subjected by the accused to oral sex, fondling and sexual intercourse over the past decade, Fabricio Sidoti, the investigating prosecutor told local radio.
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