Couple arrested for daubing Stars of David across Paris claim they were ‘under instructions from Russia’ – as prosecutors admit they may have been in SUPPORT of Israel
Stars of David painted across Paris in what was deemed anti-Semitic graffiti may well have been in support of Israel, French prosecutors believe.
The twist in the investigation comes after the arrest of a Moldovan couple who admitted to producing the stencil used earlier this week.
It was used to deface the front of properties in what originally appeared to be a disturbing echo of the Kristallnacht ‘Night of Broken Glass’ organized in Nazi Germany in the lead-up to the Holocaust.
The couple technically faces a four-year prison sentence for “causing damage to property aggravated by reference to race or religion.”
But a prosecutor’s source in Paris said: “It may be that the stars were actually painted in support of the State of Israel in its fight against Hamas.”
Dozens of blue Stars of David (pictured) have been found painted on buildings in various parts of Paris and the surrounding suburbs at night
About 60 blue stars were found graffitied on several buildings in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. Pictured: A woman walks past a building marked with stars
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into property damage aggravated by the circumstance of origin, race, ethnicity or religion, French media reported.
Referring to the yellow stars that the Nazis used to identify Jews in cities like Paris during World War II, the source said: “The stars painted this week were blue stars, similar to those on the Israeli flag. They weren’t yellow ones.
‘There is no evidence that any of the targeted buildings were actually occupied by Jewish people – in that sense they were just random walls.’
The Moldovan couple, who have not been named, say they acted “on behalf of Russia” and had no ties to groups in France.
They are now being deported after legal proceedings, while another couple with a similar background is wanted by Paris police.
Since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, more than 800 anti-Semitic acts have been reported across France, with 414 arrests made.
There has also been a spike in Islamophobic acts, as Muslims report attacks linked to the Israeli invasion of Gaza.