On the night of Saturday, July 20, unknown people attacked the Hasidic tent camp, which is under construction in Uman, Cherkasy region, brutally beat up a security guard and stole a safe box containing $50,000 from the office building, the Segodnya newspaper reported.
“We are very disappointed by this incident. Most annoying thing is that they robbed the poor: the money was to go to accommodate those pilgrims who do not have enough money to rent an apartment or a house. A camp was to be finished and food bought from this money. But pilgrims will still come because this is their holy place,” Vice President of the International Charitable Foundation named after Rebbe Nachman of Breslov Shimon Buskila told the newspaper.
The police said they were searching for the criminals and preparing for the holiday seriously. “We understand that this is an event of international level. And the image of our country depends on how the order is maintained,” press secretary for the Interior Ministry’s department in Cherkasy region Natalia Taran told Segodnya. She added that nearly 400 police officers would be involved in ensuring public order during the celebration of the Jewish new year. They will be consulted by Israeli counterparts.
A burial site of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, is located in Uman. Every fall, there is a major pilgrimage by tens of thousands of Hasidim from around the world to the grave of their spiritual leader.