MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian migrants’ rights group has warned foreigners in the capital to stay home, over fears that unrest could escalate into race-hate crimes, local media report.
Russian media outlets cite Muhamad Amin, head of the Federation of Migrants in Russia, as warning that the unrest in southern Moscow could spark racially-motivated attacks, and that foreigners and migrants should not go out.
Local media report that he was speaking after visiting Biryulovo in southern Moscow, where a recent murder sparked violence on Sunday – much of it directed at migrant communities.
This came after images of the alleged assailant were circulated in the Russian media and the individual was identified as a “migrant” or “not Russian” in reports.
Describing the unrest in Biryulovo, Amin was quoted as saying that he had seen hundreds of drunk aggressive youths and lots of nationalists.
Police in the Russian capital say they have upped their patrols across the city, and cordoned off known focal points for nationalist groups, such as Manezh Square in downtown Moscow.
