The verdict against the Maribor Archdiocese, the Celje Diocese and the Artice parish was confirmed on Thursday by the victim's lawyer Rok Ceferin, who believes that the defence will lodge an appeal against the civil lawsuit verdict.

Jost was brought before court in 2006, but died in 2007, while charged on 16 counts of sexual assault against minors.

The late priest abused a total of four prepubescent girls, including during confession, the web-page of the daily Delo repoted.

According to Ceferin, the verdict of the Maribor District Court is unprecedented in Slovenia.

The victim in question demanded with a civil lawsuit EUR 140,000 in compensation for psychological trauma and a serious health condition. Ceferin said that he may file an appeal against the amount of the compensation granted.

While saying that his client was satisfied with the verdict, he noted that the court had ruled that a certain part of the complaint had fallen under the statute of limitations.

The compensation lawsuit was launched in January 2010 and was conducted behind closed doors due to the sensitivity of the case, according to Delo. The trial against Jost began in 2006, he however died in 2007.