Desecrators of Jewish graves detained in Kazan

On June 5, 2005, in Kazan, police detained two residents of Kazan (on 20 and 21), suspected of desecrating Jewish burials at the Arsk Cemetery .

During the investigation, it turned out that various so-called informal groups of young people periodically gather at the cemetery. Moreover, the leadership of the Arsk cemetery hid this fact from law enforcement agencies for more than a week. The clue was given by local homeless people, after which the cemetery workers confirmed this information.

The detainees confessed to their deeds, denying the charge of anti-Semitism, claiming that they depicted crosses and a swastika on the graves out of hooligan motives.

The investigation is also working on the version that the young people are members of one of the underground Satanic sects operating in Kazan, which either competes or simply quarreled with some other informal group.

The press service of the Kazan Internal Affairs Directorate confirmed the information about the detention of those suspected of committing an act of vandalism. They declined to comment, saying that "a press conference will be held in the near future, at which the details of the investigation will be announced." Both detained young men were released on bail.

Smirnov A. Satanists framed skinheads: Suspects of desecration of 26 Jewish graves were detained in Kazan // Kommersant (Kazan). 2005. June 7

Sources

• Jewish grave defilers deny allegations of anti-Semitism (Tatarstan) // IA REGNUM. June 6, 2005