Synagogue in Sochi attacked

In Sochi, a man with a hammer tried to enter the synagogue building and threw stones at it. The attacker has been detained.

The incident, which occurred on May 29, has not been reported until today: the information about the incident is released by the press service for Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar.

The attacker arrived at the synagogue building by taxi at about 3:45 p.m. Moscow time. He took a hammer out of his backpack and tried to enter the building, threatening a guard. The attacker managed to break down the gate with his hammer and enter the synagogue yard, the “Interfax” reports.

The attacker failed to enter the premises where classes for children were taking place at that moment. However, he threw stones at the synagogue building until the police arrived. The attacker filmed all his actions with a mobile phone camera and did not shout any slogans, the rabbinate spokesperson reported.

The police have already detained the attacker. As of 8:30 p.m. Moscow time on May 30, the law enforcement agencies in Sochi and the Krasnodar Territory have not released any reports concerning the attack on the synagogue and the detention of the attacker.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 30, 2025 at 08:39 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.