President Peter Pellegrini has expressed deep sorrow after confirming that Slovak-born Marika Pogany was among the victims of Sunday’s deadly shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney. He offered condolences to her family and condemned what he described as blind and anonymous hatred driven by differences in faith, origin, or identity. The President warned that such hatred leads only to violence and the loss of innocent lives.
According to media reports, the 82-year-old Marika Pogany was a long-time community volunteer and a recipient of the Mensch Award for decades of service to Jewish seniors in Australia. The attack occurred during Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people. A sixteenth victim was one of the two attackers. At least 38 people remain hospitalized in Sydney.
Source: TASR
