Attacker 'envied Jews'

2006-01-13 12:31

Moscow - Russian prosecutors said on Friday they have charged the young man accused of attacking worshippers at a Moscow synagogue with racially-motivated attempted murder, assault and actions aimed at humiliating national or religious groups.

Alexander Koptsev, 20, said in his interrogation that he had committed the crime "out of envy for them (Jews), since they live better" and that he had been inspired by books and internet sites.

He also told investigators that one of his motivations was "my desire to die", said the Moscow prosecutors' office.

Koptsev allegedly stabbed and wounded eight men during evening prayers at a central Moscow synagogue on Wednesday.

A million Jews live in Russia, according to the Federation of Jewish Communities, the Jewish community now enjoying a revival after a wave of emigration to Israel and other countries.

Rising xenophobia has seen hundreds of racially motivated attacks in recent years, including on dark-skinned immigrants from former Soviet Central Asia and the Caucasus Mountains region.

Rights activists say hate groups are emboldened by authorities' mild approach to prosecuting hate crimes and complain that Nazi and other extremist literature is sold freely.

The lower house of parliament's legislative committee has prepared a package of bills to strengthen anti-extremist legislation, committee head Pavel Krasheninnikov said on Friday.

Jewish leaders, however, have demanded that authorities push for better enforcement of existing laws.

- SAPA