In the Russian Republic of Dagestan, a tragic incident occurred where unknown assailants attacked an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent. Sadly, two victims were reported to have been killed in the violent attack. One of the victims was a priest, who was brutally murdered at the church in Derbent by having his throat slit. The other victim was a security guard who lost his life defending the synagogue.
According to Shamil Khadulaev, head of the Dagestan Public Monitoring Committee, reports from Russian media outlets confirmed that at least one police officer lost his life during the attack and another officer was injured. Shocking footage of individuals dressed in black firing shots at a police vehicle emerged online, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Simultaneously, news emerged that a church in Makhachkala, Dagestan’s capital city, had been set ablaze and nearly completely destroyed. The perpetrators were caught on camera engaging in a shootout with police officers. According to initial reports, three officers were killed and six sustained injuries during this violent ordeal.
The attack on these religious institutions comes amidst rising anti-Jewish sentiments in Dagestan. A disturbing incident occurred at the end of October 2023 when enraged individuals stormed Makhachkala airport upon the arrival of an Israeli plane on a Sunday. This resulted in injuries to around 20 people.
In response to these incidents, authorities have launched an investigation into what led to this violence and are working towards bringing those responsible to justice. It is hoped that this will help restore peace and stability to Dagestan and prevent future attacks against religious institutions or civilians alike.
During this time it is important for everyone to remember that violence against any religion or individual should never be tolerated or condoned under any circumstances. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities they may observe immediately to local law enforcement officials.
We also encourage people from all walks of life to come together in unity and support their fellow citizens through these challenging times by condemning violence against religious institutions or individuals based on their beliefs or ethnicity.
In conclusion, we call upon everyone to stand together against hatred and intolerance while working towards building a more peaceful society where everyone can live harmoniously without fear or prejudice towards each other’s beliefs or ethnicities.
