A Ukrainian man who toppled a Hanukkah menorah is handed a revised indictment

According to information obtained by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Andrey Rachok, who toppled a menorah on Kontraktova Square in Kyiv during the Hanukkah festival, has been formally indicted under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement to ethnic hostility).

As previously reported, Andrey Rachok not only desecrated the menorah but also published a video recording of the act on social media. After committing the act of vandalism, Rachok declared, "Ukrainians, we are the strength, and graves to the kikes," explaining that this was his way of demonstrating how to "behave with outsiders who engage in the usurpation of power, occupation of territories, and genocide."

Initially, criminal proceedings were initiated against Rachok under Part 1 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hooliganism). However, Jewish organizations in Ukraine, Israeli officials, and the EAJC demanded that the Ukrainian authorities amend the charges, which was subsequently executed. The case has been referred to court, and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress expresses its hope that A. Rachok will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

In this context, it is worth noting that in February 2019, Andrey Rachok submitted documents to the Central Election Commission to run in the Ukrainian presidential elections, but his candidacy was rejected.