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Act of vandalizm at Westminster Abbey

One of the Abbey visitors sprayed paint over the portrait of the Queen by Ralph Heymans

EPA/ITAR-TASS

EPA/ITAR-TASS

LONDON, June 13. /ITAR-TASS reporter Alan Badov/. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II exposed in Westminster Abbey was smeared with paint, as reported by the spokesperson of the church.

"Today, amidst the day an incident occurred. One of the Abbey visitors sprayed paint over the portrait of the Queen by Ralph Heymans, which is on display in a room for meetings of the clergy," said the representative of the cathedral.

In connection with the incident the police has arrested two people. Other details are undisclosed.

By assumption of journalists from Sky News, this incident may be linked to a wave of extremist attacks that followed the assassination of soldier Lee Rigby by Islamic fanatics on May 22 in London.

The portrait of the Queen by artist Ralph Heymans was exhibited in Westminster Abbey at the end of May to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth II.

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