Interfax News Agency, Russia
March 21 2008
Xenophobic attacks getting nastier in Russia – rights activists
MOSCOW March 21
Rights activists believe xenophobic attacks in Russia are getting
nastier, while their number shows no sign of falling.
"Racist and neo-Nazi attacks have become nastier as compared to last
year. The number of crimes has jumped notably in Moscow," Natalya
Yudina of the Sova analytical center said.
Members of ultra-right movements are less active in the streets, she
said. The propaganda of hatred is been prosecuted more widely.
However, famous Russian public figures are still not subject to
prosecution, she said.
Some 151 people were victims of nationalist attacks in the winter of
2007 – 2008, Yudina said, adding that 37 were killed in such attacks.
Some 181 people were injured and 26 were killed in the same period in
2006 – 2007.
"Moscow is the center of the violence. Other cities, in particular
St. Petersburg, follow close behind. One can speak about the wave of
particularly cruel attacks in the capital that started in
mid-January," Yudina said.
People from Central Asian states constitute the main risk group, she
said, noting that 25 of them have been killed and 36 injured.
"The authorities and law enforcement should show extremist youths and
those behind them that these crimes will be punished," Levon
Mokanian, the leader of the youth wing of the Russian Union of
Armenians, said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
