Rome's largest cemetery was vandalized on Friday and some 70 headstones and memorial monuments, including dozens of Jewish and Catholic gravestones, were desecrated. Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi decried the rampage at Verano Cemetery as a "vile deed." According to Italian media, the damage was discovered Friday morning during a routine inspection before the Verano cemetery opened. A source familiar with the case said headstones were smashed and toppled, glass frames of loved ones decorating graves were shattered, and flower vases were knocked over. Italian news reports said investigators suspect that a group of youths sneaked into the cemetery at night and vandalized the tombstones. Surveillance footage from the site shows four teenagers entering the cemetery and ravaging the place. The vandals were 15 and 16 years old and several of them have already been identified thanks to closed-circuit TV footage, Italian media said. An official with Rome's Jewish community said in a statement that it was too soon to determine if anti-Semitism had played a role in the incident. Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni arrived at the cemetery to assess the damage and prayed with the families whose loved ones' resting place had been disturbed. Chabad emissary to Rome Rabbi Menachem Lazar was said to be in contact with the families as well, to see what assistance they needed to restore the damaged gravestones.
Vandals desecrate Jewish gravestones in Rome cemetery
Some 70 headstones are smashed, including dozens of Catholic gravestones • Rome's mayor denounces "vile deed" • Jewish community official: Too soon to determine whether attack was anti-Semitic • Several teen vandals identified on closed-circuit TV.
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