Suspect in Jewish cemetery vandalism pleads guilty

SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) – One of three men charged over the anti-Semitic vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in New Zealand pleaded guilty.

Robert Moulden, 19, entered his guilty plea in Auckland District Court Monday, local media reported. He will be sentenced in February for his part in desecrating some 20 historic gravestones last month.

Some of them were painted with swastikas, others with the numbers “88” – code for “Heil Hitler.” One said “F— Israel.”

Another man, Christian Landmark, 20, is fighting the charge of intentional damage. He will reappear in court in January.

Their names, which had previously been suppressed by the court, were released yesterday. Their bail conditions remain, including not visiting Jewish schools, synagogues or cemeteries.

A third man was initially charged, but police later withdrew the charge.