Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged on Friday a "systematic" approach to dealing with riots and street violence in Russia.
"The response may not be only made by police, this is evident. The response must be systematic," Medvedev said during an end-of-year interview broadcast live on Russia's three main TV channels.
The Russian capital saw its biggest public disturbances for almost a decade when a 5,000-strong crowd of nationalists and football hooligans clashed with police at central Manezh Square on December 11.
The fans were protesting police negligence over the death of Yegor Sviridov, 28, who was killed in a brawl with migrants from Russia's North Caucasus region in November. The mass disorder was followed by a rise in race-related attacks in the capital and other Russian cities.
Medvedev criticized the actions taken by the Moscow police at Manezh Square, saying that they should been more "decisive" in dealing with the rioters.
The president called for police to be "precise, quick and effective" and to act firmly and in line with the law when necessary.
He also said "there should be no sympathy" for the troublemakers who should receive the "maximum" punishment.
MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti)
