Lviv police detain man who extinguished Hanukkah menorah
19-year-old detained by Lviv police. Photo: Facebook.com/MVS.LVIV
Lviv police have identified and detained a young man who damaged the menorah installed on Valova Street. The suspect is a 19-year-old local resident who was intoxicated at the time of the offense, according to the Lviv Regional Police Department.
The incident occurred on January 1. Police reviewed video footage shared on social media showing the suspect approaching the menorah, cutting its power cable, and fleeing the scene. Other individuals present filmed the act. Their procedural status is now under review.
The perpetrator was identified by investigators and officers from Lviv Police District #1, in collaboration with the Criminal Analysis Department of the Lviv Police.
Authorities are currently considering whether to charge the suspect under Article 178 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Damage to Religious Structures or Places of Worship").
The penalties under this article include a fine ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 non-taxable minimum incomes, community service for 60 to 240 hours, probationary supervision for up to three years, restriction of freedom for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same period.
The investigation is ongoing.
Previously, the UOJ reported that an unknown individual had extinguished a Jewish menorah in Lviv.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.