Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) - A man accused of attacking worshippers at a Moscow synagogue in January has pleaded innocent in court on Tuesday, after the prosecutor read out the indictment act. Alexander Koptsev, 20, faces life in prison if convicted of the charges of attempted murder, assault and actions aimed at humiliating ethnic or religious groups.
Alexander Koptsev broke into a synagogue in central Moscow during evening prayers on Jan. 11. The young man, wielding a knife and shouting "I will kill Jews!" attacked worshippers, slashing and stabbing at least 9 people before the son of a rabbi wrestled him to the ground, officials and eyewitnesses said.
Witnesses said the shaven-headed attacker yelled "Heil Hitler!" as he aimed at victims' necks, heads or torsos in what appeared to be a well-planned attack.
Prosecutors finished investigation by early February and Koptsev's case was forwarded to the court.
Moscow prosecutor Anatoly Zuyev said earlier this month, Koptsev faced two charges, including ethnically and religiously motivated attempted murder. "Extremist publications found at the residence of the accused, his Internet searches for materials inciting interethnic strife, and other evidence give us every reason to assert that Kopstev's crime was motivated by religious and ethnic hatred," Zuyev said.
The prosecutor said that if found guilty, Koptsev could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.