January 11, 2006

Knife Attack at Moscow Synagogue, American Injured

Various Russian news agencies report that a lone knifeman entered a central Moscow synagogue and began randomly stabbing congregants. At least eight people were stabbed, four of them are in critical condition. Three of the victims were foreigners, including an American, and Israeli, and a Tajik. The name of the American victim is not known at this time.

Rabbi Yitzhak Kogan reports that the assailant said, "I've come here to kill." The assailant, 20 year old Alexander Koptsev, was apprehended by the Rabbi and his son. No known ties exist between Koptsev and antisemitic nationalist groups.

When I lived in Russia, ten years ago, antisemitism was rampant. I guess things haven't changed all that much.

UPDATE: Looks like he was a skinhead, or 'gooligan' as they say in Russia.

News Search: Moscow Synagogue

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 12:36 PM | |