In Astrakhan, members of Jewish community claim law enforcers check synagogue

In Astrakhan, members of the Jewish community have reported on a sudden inspection of the synagogue by law enforcers. According to them, they were looking for illegal immigrants.

On January 17, at about noon, a group of people broke into the synagogue and startled synagogue-goers. This was reported by Boris Khaikin, a 74-year-old regular synagogue-goer.

"The group was led by the district police inspector, who presented his documents to all synagogue-goers. They were told that the law enforcers were looking for illegal migrants who lived and worked at the synagogue. They frightened a woman in the synagogue," Boris Khaikin told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"In fact, at our place, the construction is underway. However, we employ workers with Astrakhan registration. So far, it is not clear, who and for what reason is looking for something at the synagogue. We will appeal to the law enforcement bodies to find out what is happening and to bring the guilty persons to justice," stated Anatoly Bimbat, Chairman of the Jewish community in Astrakhan.

Officials from the press service of the Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) for the Astrakhan Region told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the police conducted no actions in the synagogue.