Sunday, August 11, 2024

Switzerland: Police arrest man for pouring gas on synagogue

Switzerland: Police arrest man for pouring gas on synagogue



7 minutes ago

7 minutes ago

The 32-year-old Swiss national detained hours after the attack was described by police as "mentally disturbed." Jewish communities have witnessed a sharp rise in antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in Gaza.

A man has been arrested for allegedly dousing a synagogue in Zurich with petrol, police in Switzerlandsaid on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Swiss national was described by the Zurich municipal police as appearing to be "mentally disturbed."

Local media said the suspect spilled gas at the entrance to the Agudas Achim Synagogue, near the Wiedikon railway station, on Saturday evening but was caught by a security guard.

He fled the scene on foot, but after a police manhunt he was arrested early on Sunday morning.

Initial media reports said the attack was carried out by more than one person.

But police have said he acted alone and they don't believe there is an extremist motive for the attack. 

Knife attack at same synagogue

The Agudas Achim Synagogue was the scene of an antisemitic knife attack on an Orthodox Jewish man in March. The victim was critically injured in the attack.

A 15-year-old Swiss boy was arrested in connection with that attack.

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