Four young students have admitted to overturning gravestones in the ancient Jewish cemetery of Koln-Deutz near Cologne, it was reported today. Police said the vandalism was a clear case of hooliganism, and was not politically motivated. The governor of Cologne, Guenther Heidecke, sent a message of sympathy to the local Jewish community.
The vandalism occurred between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 at the cemetery which has not been used as a burial ground for 30 years. The story was kept from the press until last Friday. It has since been given wide coverage in newspapers and on radio.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.