Moscow synagogue attacker jailed



A 21-year-old man who went on a knife-wielding rampage at a Moscow synagogue, injuring eight people, has been sentenced to 13 years in jail.

Alexander Koptsev was found guilty of attempting to murder Jewish worshippers during the incident on 11 January.

After bursting into the building he lashed out at random before being wrestled to the ground by the rabbi and his son, witnesses said.

Charges against him included attempted murder “motivated by racial hatred”.

Investigators found anti-Semitic pamphlets at Koptsev’s home.

They say he believed Jews were the enemies of the Russian nation. But they insist he was acting alone.

Koptsev was diagnosed with a schizophrenic disorder, but prosecutors said he was still fit to stand trial.

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)
BBC, UK
Mar. 27, 2006
news.bbc.co.uk
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Religion News Blog posted this on Monday March 27, 2006.
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