UCSJ Condemns Moldova Prosecutor's Office For Closing Investigation of Antisemitic Mob
Despite Video, Prosecutors Claim "No Evidence of a Crime"
For immediate release: January 8, 2010
Contact: Nickolai Butkevich at 202-641-7420 or nbutkevich@ucsj.com
Washington, D.C.--UCSJ: Union of Council for Jews in the Former Soviet Union today expressed shock and concern over a decision by the Moldovan prosecutor's office to close an investigation into members of an antisemitic mob who tore town a Hanukkah menorah in the capital Chisinau last month. Led by Orthodox priest Anatoly Chibrik, the mob put up a cross in place of the menorah while chanting antisemitic slogans. The incident was filmed and clips posted on Youtube that clearly show the faces of the mob and its leaders (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0f07IT_EU). Public incitement of ethnic or religious hatred is illegal in Moldova.
"We are frankly baffled by the prosecutor's office's decision," said Larry Lerner, UCSJ's president. "This crime was viewed all over the world on Youtube, and any objective observer seeing the video can tell that it was an act of blatant, almost medieval antisemitism. Moldova's own laws prohibit religious incitement. They should enforce the laws on their books and bring the organizers of this crime to justice."
Shortly after the December 14 incident, UCSJ sent a letter to the Moldovan ambassador to the United States, protesting the mob's action and asking that his government bring criminal charges against the organizers. So far, no reply to this letter has been received.
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