Dutch missionary accused of sexual abuse in Malawi

Dutch missionary Wim A. is accused of sexually abusing his students and employees in Malawi. He threatened to withdraw his victims' scholarships if they did not go along with his wishes, Zembla reports based on conversations with A.'s lawyers and some of the victims. The victims are between the ages of 22 and 40

A., 41, is the financial director of the reformed missionary organization Timotheos. According to his lawyer and victims, A. is accused of forcing his victims to kiss, caress, masturbate him, and in several cases have oral and anal sex. If they refused, A. threatened to exclude the students from Timotheos' scholarship program, the Zembla reported.

The Timotheos Foundation is an Orthodox Christian relief organization founded from the Malawian Reformed Presbyterian Church in 2011. Churches in the Netherlands support the foundation, which operates daycare centers, schools, and a student program.

A. has worked for the foundation since its founding. As financial director, his responsibilities included awarding scholarships. The foundation suspended A. If found guilty, he could face up to 14 years in prison.