11 accused in ransacking of Venezuela synagogue

Discussion in 'Politics & Religion' started by uploas, Mar 27, 2009.

  1. #1
    Venezuelan prosecutors have filed charges against eight police officers and three other people, accusing them of involvement in a January attack on Caracas' largest synagogue, prosecutors said Thursday.

    Prosecutors said in a statement they've asked a court to approve charges including robbery, "acts of contempt against a religion," and concealing firearms.

    Attackers broke into the Tifaret Israel synagogue on January 30 — shattering religious objects, spray-painting anti-Semitic slogans and stealing a computer database with the names and addresses of Jews in Venezuela.

    Investigators believe the assailants planned to steal a large amount of cash they thought was inside. The vandalism, authorities say, could have been aimed at turning attention away from the true motive behind the crime.

    The attack took place shortly after President Hugo Chavez severed diplomatic ties with Israel in protest of its military offensive on the Gaza Strip — provoking concerns among some Jewish leaders that his fiery rhetoric was encouraging a wave of anti-Semitism.

    Chavez, who condemned the synagogue attack, has repeatedly said he simply opposes Israeli policies toward the Palestinians and holds nothing against the Jewish people.

    Venezuela's Jewish community numbers nearly 15,000.

    ynetnews
     
    uploas, Mar 27, 2009 IP
  2. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #2
    It's terrible that these lunatics have the database with their names and addresses as well.:eek:

    The media was actually encouraging this...
     
    Rebecca, Mar 27, 2009 IP
  3. kevluigi

    kevluigi Member

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    It's a shame people have not learned to fully coexist.
     
    kevluigi, Mar 28, 2009 IP