Mendoza court overturns acquittal of nun in Próvolo Institute abuse case

The Supreme Court of Justice of Mendoza has overturned the acquittal of Kumiko Kosaka, a Japanese national and former nun, in a high-profile sexual abuse case involving deaf children at the Antonio Próvolo Institute.

Kosaka was previously acquitted in October 2023, a decision that was appealed by victims and prosecutors. The court's new ruling finds her guilty as a participant in two instances of abuse committed by priest Horacio Corbacho and as the perpetrator of three counts of simple sexual abuse against the children under her care. A lower court will now determine her sentence, which could reach up to 50 years in prison.

The case, which involves crimes committed between 2004 and 2016, has had significant implications for the Catholic Church in Argentina. While Kosaka was found guilty, the court upheld the acquittals of eight other female employees involved in the case.