An Orthodox cross was desecrated in Penza

On April 14, 2008, an Orthodox cross and a memorial stone laid in honor of the start of construction of the St. Elisabeth Church near the oncological dispensary of the city were mutilated in Penza. A first-year student of one of the Penza universities will later be found guilty of committing a crime, who, armed with an ax, broke a slab (which cannot be restored) and tried to cut down the cross. Moreover, apparently, this was not the first act of vandalism against the memorial plate.

The motivation for the act was voiced at the trial by a lawyer who stated that his client had read too much religious extremist literature.

The suspect was arrested almost immediately. Moreover, during the detention of young people, the man managed to spray tear gas at the policeman, which led to the fact that he was also accused of resisting a police officer.

The guilty verdict was handed down on August 11, 2008.

Sources

• An act of vandalism has been committed at the oncological dispensary in Penza // GTRK "Penza". 2008. 14 August.