Bulgarians on Trial for Defacing Holocaust Memorial in Paris, Suspected Russian Agents

Vandalism of Holocaust Memorial

• 🎨 A Holocaust Memorial in central Paris was defaced with graffiti in May 2024.
• ⚖️ Four Bulgarian nationals are now on trial for the crime, suspected of being Russian agents.

Investigation and Suspects

• 📸 Surveillance footage and distinctive neo-Nazi tattoos (88 for Hitler) helped identify one perpetrator, Mo Angelov.
• 🏃 Angelov was later seen in Brussels and is currently on the run.
• 💰 Another suspect, arrested in Bulgaria, was allegedly offered €1,000 to act as an accomplice.
• 🍻 The arrested suspect claimed he was drunk and did not realize the significance of the building he defaced until later.

Alleged Russian Involvement

• 🇷🇺 French police suspect Russia orchestrated the plot, with operations organized from Bloograd, Bulgaria.
• 💰 The presumed head of the group, Nikolai Immanov, a crypto trader and former pro-Russia militia member, allegedly received orders via Telegram.
• 🗣️ Immanov's wife denies any mission orders, stating that Russians have a deep hatred for Nazis due to historical suffering.
• 🤔 She questions the idea that graffiti could destabilize a state.

Potential Penalties

• ⛓️ The four Bulgarians face up to seven years in prison if convicted.