A teenager sentenced after attacking a rabbi in broad daylight last month in Orléans—while the rabbi was walking home from synagogue with his nine-year-old son—was already under investigation for three other serious offences, despite being in France for less than a year.
The suspect went on trial on Wednesday, accused of “assault with a real or imagined religious motive” on rabbi Arie Engelberg, as well as “psychological violence” against Engelberg’s son. He was also charged with possession of illegal drugs after being found with cannabis resin, and with refusing to undergo police testing to establish his identity. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison after a long day of hearings in which he denied responsibility.
Before the attack—during which Engelberg said he was hit on the head, bitten and verbally insulted—the teenager was already under investigation in connection with three cases, including drug dealing, violence against officials, and aggravated robbery.
He has no family in France and told police after his arrest first that he was Palestinian, and then that he was Moroccan and 16 years old. He is understood to have no family in France.
Engelberg claims that the attacker asked if he was Jewish before launching the assault.
The migrant is reported to have had a “deplorable” attitude during his hearing on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the rabbi’s son has been left traumatised and is reportedly afraid to return to the synagogue.
A rally was held in support of Engelberg and his son after the assault, at which Jews expressed their concerns surrounding increased antisemitic attacks. After meeting with the rabbi in Orléans, Minister Delegate Aurore Bergé stressed that such attacks “are not mere incidents.”
They are attacks against democracy. We will not yield an inch.
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