Israel arrests six suspects in stabbing of Christian leader

2012-01-08 03:09:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli police on Saturday arrested six suspects for their alleged involvement in the killing of a prominent Christian leader in the city of Jaffa, local media reported.

Gabriel Cadis, chairman of the Jaffa Orthodox Church Association, was stabbed by an unknown attacker on Friday night during a march to mark the Orthodox Christmas. Police spokesman Moshe Katz said the stabbing occurred at the end of the march which was organized by the Christian community.

"People nearby evacuated him from the scene," the spokesman was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post. Cadis was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

According to a number of eye witnesses, the attacker was dressed up as Santa Claus. Six suspects, all members of the Christian community in Jaffa, were arrested on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the murder.

The motive for the stabbing remains unclear, but police do not suspect a religiously motivated attack. Investigators have begun interviewing eyewitnesses and searching for CCTV footage.

A funeral procession for Candis was held in Jaffa on Saturday afternoon.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-08

Not a vintage year for Santas, We have the U.S family shooting, one killed in Kazakhstan, now this.

Not a vintage year for Santas, We have the U.S family shooting, one killed in Kazakhstan, now this.

It's the war against Christmas, I tell ya ...