The synagogue where the attack occurred on 11 January (ITAR-TASS)
2 February 2006 -- Prosecutors have finished investigations into an attack at a Moscow synagogue on 11 January that left eight people injured.
Prosecutors said today the case has been sent to court. It was not immediately clear when court hearings may begin.
Prosecutors accuse a 20-year-old Moscow resident, Aleksandr Koptsev, of breaking into the synagogue and attacking worshippers with a knife during evening prayers.
Moscow prosecutor Anatoly Zuyev said Koptsev faces two charges, including ethnically and religiously motivated attempted murder.
"Extremist publications found at the residence of the accused, his Internet searches for materials inciting interethnic strife, and other evidence give us every reason to assert that Kopstev's crime was motivated by religious and ethnic hatred," Zuyev said.
The prosecutor said that if found guilty, Koptsev could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors said they found no evidence linking Koptsev to any extremist group.
(ITAR-TASS, Interfax)
Prosecutors accuse a 20-year-old Moscow resident, Aleksandr Koptsev, of breaking into the synagogue and attacking worshippers with a knife during evening prayers.
Moscow prosecutor Anatoly Zuyev said Koptsev faces two charges, including ethnically and religiously motivated attempted murder.
"Extremist publications found at the residence of the accused, his Internet searches for materials inciting interethnic strife, and other evidence give us every reason to assert that Kopstev's crime was motivated by religious and ethnic hatred," Zuyev said.
The prosecutor said that if found guilty, Koptsev could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors said they found no evidence linking Koptsev to any extremist group.
(ITAR-TASS, Interfax)
RFE/RL Russia Report
RFE/RL Russia Report