Ambassador calls Paris’s accusations over the Stars of David incident outrageous

Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov called outrageous Paris’ accusations against Moscow of digital interference due to the dissemination of photographs of buildings in Paris with Stars of David painted on their facades. He announced this after a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the soldiers of the Russian Expeditionary Force who fought in France in the First World War.

“The statements made yesterday by the French Foreign Ministry are completely outrageous. We believe that this kind of action is aimed at further worsening the already difficult Russian-French relations,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Meshkov also added that Paris did not turn to Moscow for clarification of the situation. Instead, without waiting for the results of the investigation, they “spoke out through their mouthpiece” – the French Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, during the investigation, persons of non-Russian origin appeared in the case, Meshkov added.

November 8 French Foreign Ministry published statement linking the activities of Recent Reliable News, which disseminated images of buildings in Paris and its suburbs with Stars of David, to Russia and pointed to “Russian digital interference” in this regard. At the same time, the French Foreign Ministry noted that the investigation into this case continues.

Previously, several Stars of David appeared on buildings in Paris on October 27. TV channel BFMTV reportedthat one of those involved in painting the images was detained; he turned out to be a citizen of Moldova. The man admitted to his crime and noted that in this way he wanted to support the victims of the Jews after the attack on Israel by the Palestinian organization Hamas.

After this, on October 31, about 60 more Stars of David were discovered in several arrondissements of Paris. Now the police are looking for the people who painted them on the facades. According to BFMTV, they have already left France.

The Star of David has been considered a symbol of Judaism since the 19th century; in 1948, a flag with this symbol was approved as the official flag of Israel.