Six Azeris killed in racist attacks in Russia this year: research
Six Azeris have been killed and ten injured in attacks in
neighboring Russia this year. These attacks have been labeled as
being motivated by xenophobia and racism.
A total of 73 people were killed by "skinheads," a Russian hate
group, in January-July, according to Alexander Brod, director of
the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, in an interview with the
Russian Interfax news agency.
He said most attacks occurred in Moscow, with 36 people reported
dead and over 100 injured. In another large city, St. Petersburg,
16 people were killed and 25 injured.
Uzbeks were most often attacked, with 12 killed and 17 injured.
They are followed by Kyrgyzes, ten of whom were killed and five
injured.
Russians were also victims of xenophobic attacks. Five Russians
were killed and 30 injured in the first seven months of 2008.
According to informal data, there may be up to 60,000 skinheads in
Russia.