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Russian-Israeli Jew beaten to death in St. Petersburg

Former IDF soldier Mikhail Verevskoy was beaten to death by a Muslim assailant while his wife was in labor.

By: World Israel News Staff

Russian police have launched an investigation into the brutal murder of Mikhail Verevskoy, 27, who was on his way home in St. Petersburg when attacked and beaten by 36-year-old Ahmed Kharsha. Vereskoy was hospitalized following the attack and died five days later as a result of his injuries, including brain trauma, fractured ribs and facial bones, and internal wounds.

Police are investigating whether the attack was premeditated with an anti-Semitic motive. The suspect, a St. Petersburg resident, was ordered not to leave the city. He was released on bail.

Verevskoy had gone shopping at a local supermarket and was on his way home when he was suddenly attacked by the suspect outside the entrance to his apartment building.

Verevskoy immigrated to Israel in 2010 after studying architecture and civil engineering at St. Petersburg State University. He lived in Jerusalem and served in the IDF before returning to live in Russia in 2012. He got married and was reportedly an active member of the Jewish community. At the time of the attack, his wife was in labor with the couple’s first child.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was aware of the details of the case and was in contact with authorities because the victim was an Israeli citizen.