A French prosecutor confirmed that the attack last week on a 22-year-old Jewish woman was anti-Semitic in nature. Audrey Brachelle said she was attacked April 26 by two youths at a metro station in Marseilles.
General prosecutor Jacques Boume said a formal investigation was opened Monday into “thefts and violence with weapon and with racist acts.”
Brachelle, an economics student, was on her way to her uncle s shop where she works when two youths approached her demanding her cell phone and bag. Brachelle s mother said that when the youngsters noticed Brachelle was wearing a Star of David necklace, they yelled at her that it was a sign of the devil. They then took out a knife, tore her shirt, painted a swastika on her stomach and cut off some of her hair.
Brachelle said she was hit several times and thrown to the floor.
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