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Man with gun & gas canister attempts to break into Moscow synagogue, wounds guard Man with gun & gas canister attempts to break into Moscow synagogue, wounds guard
(about 1 hour later)
At least one person has sustained severe gunshot wounds after an armed perpetrator tried to break into a synagogue in central Moscow and threatened to set it on fire, local media reported.At least one person has sustained severe gunshot wounds after an armed perpetrator tried to break into a synagogue in central Moscow and threatened to set it on fire, local media reported.
Police confirmed the incident.Police confirmed the incident.
"There was a conflict in one of the religious institutions between the guards and a man, who behaved inadequately. As a result, the person fired several shots at the guards from a non-lethal pistol. After that he was arrested and delivered to a police station,” Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said, adding the person was a 40 year-old-resident of the Moscow region town of Korolev."There was a conflict in one of the religious institutions between the guards and a man, who behaved inadequately. As a result, the person fired several shots at the guards from a non-lethal pistol. After that he was arrested and delivered to a police station,” Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said, adding the person was a 40 year-old-resident of the Moscow region town of Korolev.
The attacker had a gun and a canister of gasoline with him, saying that he was going to burn the Moscow Choral Synagogue, Life.ru reported.The attacker had a gun and a canister of gasoline with him, saying that he was going to burn the Moscow Choral Synagogue, Life.ru reported.
A security guard was injured in an attempt to prevent the perpetrator from entering the building, according to Mediazona news outlet.A security guard was injured in an attempt to prevent the perpetrator from entering the building, according to Mediazona news outlet.
The guard was hospitalized in critical condition after the bullets hit him in the head and chest.The guard was hospitalized in critical condition after the bullets hit him in the head and chest.
However, according to Ren TV, the injured person could have been a visitor.However, according to Ren TV, the injured person could have been a visitor.
The perpetrator was detained by the police, RIA Novosti said citing police sources.The perpetrator was detained by the police, RIA Novosti said citing police sources.
He was identified as Ivan Lebedev (born in 1976) from the town of Korolev in the Moscow region, Mediazona said. His motives remain unclear.He was identified as Ivan Lebedev (born in 1976) from the town of Korolev in the Moscow region, Mediazona said. His motives remain unclear.
According to Life.ru, the attacker has a clinical record and may be mentally unstable.According to Life.ru, the attacker has a clinical record and may be mentally unstable.
A police source told Interfax that that the attacker had a non-lethal 'traumatic pistol' on him. He was detained by the other guards at the synagogue, who handed him over to the authorities. The incident happened when as Saturday prayers concluded at the synagogue, Viktor Rakhmilov, the deputy chairman of Moscow’s Community of Mountain Jews, told Life.ru.
According to Rakhmilov, the perpetrator had been trying to enter the building for several hours prior to the event, saying that he wanted to see the rabbi.
After the man shot the security staff member with the traumatic pistol, he attempted self-immolation, but was taken to the ground by the injured guard, he added.
The security guard was escorted to surgery, “but I don’t think that his injuries were serious. He got his cheek and tongue punctured,” Rakhmilov said.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia has urged Moscow authorities to boost security at synagogues ahead of New Year festivities.The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia has urged Moscow authorities to boost security at synagogues ahead of New Year festivities.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first attack on the country's main mosque and probably not the last. You're all aware of the situation with these kinds of attacks around the world nowadays. You're probably also aware we have holidays ahead – we are not canceling any of the events. We will increase our security together with the police. We are not afraid of anyone,” Aleksandr Kagno, head of Moscow's Jewish religious community (MERO), told RT.“Unfortunately, this is not the first attack on the country's main mosque and probably not the last. You're all aware of the situation with these kinds of attacks around the world nowadays. You're probably also aware we have holidays ahead – we are not canceling any of the events. We will increase our security together with the police. We are not afraid of anyone,” Aleksandr Kagno, head of Moscow's Jewish religious community (MERO), told RT.
The head of Russia’s Federation of Jewish Communities, Aleksandr Boroda, has call the attack a “disgusting manifestation of xenophobia,” pointing out the fact that it was attempted on Saturday, a sacred day for Jews.
He urged the public “not to succumb to the provocations of extremists aimed at igniting religious intolerance and ethnic hatred, to unite and to keep the peace for the future well-being of Russian citizens,” Interfax reported.
Saturday or Shabbat is a day of rest in Judaism, during which the believers are to visit the synagogue.Saturday or Shabbat is a day of rest in Judaism, during which the believers are to visit the synagogue.
The Moscow Choral Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Moscow. According to the synagogue’s website, it’s visited by around 500 people on a daily basis.The Moscow Choral Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Moscow. According to the synagogue’s website, it’s visited by around 500 people on a daily basis.