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Three Serbian Men Possibly Linked to Russia Arrested for Vandalizing Jewish Sites in Paris
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
French authorities have arrested three Serbian nationals accused of carrying out coordinated acts of vandalism against Jewish landmarks in Paris, allegedly acting in the interest of a foreign state—potentially Russia.
According to RTS., the suspects—two men born in 1995 and one in 2003—are charged with damaging religious and historical sites due to motives related to religion or ethnicity, and in service of a foreign power. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $323,000.
The incidents occurred overnight on May 31 to June 1, 2025. Green paint was sprayed on multiple locations, including the Wall of the Righteous at the Shoah Memorial, three synagogues, and a Jewish-owned restaurant in the 4th and 20th arrondissements of Paris. French police apprehended the suspects in the Alpes-Maritimes region as they attempted to leave the country.
Preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrators were financially motivated and unaware of the political significance of their actions.
French investigators suspect the operation may have been coordinated from abroad, citing similarities to a previous case in 2024, when red hand graffiti appeared at the Shoah Memorial—a symbol believed to reference violence against Israeli soldiers in Ramallah in 2000. That incident also led to the arrest and indictment of three Bulgarian nationals.
French intelligence services have repeatedly warned about attempts by Russia to interfere in France’s internal affairs, often through disinformation campaigns aimed at sowing societal discord.
In May 2025, France’s Viginum agency reported that nearly 80 disinformation operations linked to Russian actors had taken place since August 2023, targeting Ukraine and its international supporters, including France.
The current investigation is ongoing. Two of the Serbian suspects remain in pre-trial detention, while proceedings are pending for the third.
French prosecutors have confirmed that the charges include intentional damage to religious and historical sites motivated by hate and conducted in the interest of a foreign state.
Earlier, a joint investigation by OCCRP and European media revealed that a Telegram bot named “privet bot” was allegedly used by Russian intelligence to recruit pro-Russian supporters in Europe for sabotage, espionage, and assassinations.
