"Sova": in 2010, 37 persons became victims of xenophobia in Russia

As reported by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Sova", in 2010, more than 400 persons suffered in Russia as a result of racism- and xenophobia-based attacks. The HRC links a particular surge of violence with the clashes in Manege Square in Moscow.

"Altogether, according to preliminary data, in 2010 from such attacks fixed in 44 regions of Russia 37 persons were lost and at least 368 more were wounded," the "Sova" reports.

According to the Centre, in December 2010, the racist and neo-Nazi violence resulted in two deaths and at least 68 injured persons. For comparison: in December 2009 the figures were 3 casualties and 22 victims.

Last year, the leaders by the level of violence were Moscow and Moscow Region (19 casualties and 174 victims), St Petersburg and Leningrad Region (2 and 47) and Nizhny Novgorod (4 and 17, accordingly). "Still, natives from Central Asia are the main objects of attacks (16 casualties and 74 victims)," human rights activists report.

On the cases dealing with hatred-motivated violence 82 guilty verdicts were passed, 283 persons were sentenced (including 102 persons, who were either exempt from punishment because of limitation period expiry or sentenced conditionally with no additional sanctions), the "Sova" report said.

According to the Centre, today Russia counts tens of thousands of activists of right-wing radical organizations, who attack natives of Central Asia and Caucasus, as well as members of youth subcultures and sexual minorities.