Drama in Kharkov: Jewish mayor was shot - critical condition

Drama in Kharkov, Ukraine: anonymous shot at noon (Monday) the Jewish mayor Cairns Gennady, while riding his bike in a local park in the city center. The mayor is a personal friend of Shliach Rabbi Moshe Moskowitz, and taken to the hospital with a serious injury in his back and is in critical condition.

City Hall spokeswoman said the various media that "doctors are fighting for his life."

"We are shocked," says Chief Rabbi of Kharkov, Rabbi Markowitz, to Behadrey Haredim. "He was shot at about 12:00 and is now in complicated surgery. I am in touch with his family and advisers."

According to him, the mayor comes every Passover Seder to his home. "This year he was under house arrest because of the situation in Kiev so he did not come, but every holiday he comes to the synagogue, he himself asked six years ago to undergo circumcision and the bris was held here. He is a mayor who everyone loves - even those who oppose him appreciate it very much , that is a mayor who works 24 hours a day. "

Who tried to assassinate him?

"This is the million dollar question currently in Kharkov. There are those who claim that pro - Ukrainians shot him, and pro - Ukrainians argue the opposite. Cairns was close to the Ukrainian president ousted Viktor Yanukovich , but after the impeachment expressed support for the new government , but his loyalty to her remains in doubt. Last month, Cairns were questioned by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry following a number of pro - Russian statements. Past conflicts in Kharkov Cairns tried to mediate between the two sides, but also used to wear the symbol pro - Rossi on his jacket. On March 17, he said during a meeting of the City Council that he had received dozens of threats to his life and his family. He accused the Ukrainian Interior Minister, Arsenic Abakov - former governor of Kharkiv Region - someone who is behind the threats. "

In recent months there is a lot of tension in the East, where the city is located, due to the violent riots between the Ukrainian governments and pro - Russian wishing to annex the region to Russia.

The public is requested to pray for the healing of Moshe Ben Chana for a complete recovery.