Israeli man beaten to death in Russia in suspected anti-Semitic attack

A Russian-born Israeli man died Monday night of severe injuries he sustained after being attacked on a St. Petersburg street several days ago in what authorities are investigating as a suspected anti-Semitic attack.

The Russian-language outlet Fontanka reported Tuesday that Mikhail Verevskoy, 27, had suffered traumatic brain injuries and fractured ribs and facial bones, as well as internal injuries.

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said a suspect, Ahmed Kharsha, 36, was arrested and released on bail. Kharsha was forbidden from leaving the city. Russian authorities investigating the attack have not ruled out an anti-Semitic motive, the report said.

Verevskoy is survived by his wife, who is in a local maternity ward where she is due to give birth.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was aware of the details of the case and that although Verenskoy’s family had not requested assistance, it was in contact with them to provide the assistance due to him as an Israeli citizen.

The ministry noted that it was waiting for the Russian authorities to complete their investigation.

The attack happened on March 28 as Verevskoy returned to his apartment after shopping at a local grocery store. A man attacked him outside the entrance to the apartment building, punching and kicking him.

Verevskoy was born in Russia, studied civil engineering in St. Petersburg State University, and then immigrated to Israel in 2010 where he served in the IDF.

He returned to Russia in 2012, married, and became an active member of the Jewish community as well as the St. Petersburg Choral Synagogue.