Incidents In Perm Involving Desecration Of A Holy Icon And Subsequent Investigations
In Perm, a disturbing event unfolded when a group of youths damaged an Orthodox icon using a sword and later set it on fire, filming the act as it happened. The incident was reportedly shared on the Telegram channel Ural Paste, which raised questions about the motives and the environment in which these youths were acting.
Authorities say the incident took place near a local school, the 37th, where some of the students involved were reportedly studying. The source claims that participants included local university students and schoolchildren who were known to have connections with the area, and that the icon of the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia was desecrated and destroyed in the act of burning.
Witnesses describe the minors as identifying themselves as anti-pagan Christians. A video circulating online shows the youths verbally belittling believers, shouting extremist slogans, and then watching the icon burn in real time, raising concerns about the influence of extremist rhetoric on young people.
Regional authorities, including the Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed that they had identified those involved in the incident. The police stated that two seniors and three freshmen from a district secondary school were found to be party to the actions. It was indicated that formal investigations would be launched and that a procedural decision would follow the results of those inquiries, in accordance with applicable law. [Attribution: The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior]
Earlier reports indicated another disturbing incident involving schoolchildren in Sevastopol, described as a massacre at a cemetery, which underscores ongoing concerns about youth violence and religious intolerance across several regions. Authorities have stressed the importance of swift, lawful action to prevent a recurrence of such behavior and to ensure the safety of communities, faith groups, and educational institutions. [Attribution: Regional law enforcement sources]