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From Russia with hate
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Posted by: Calgarian

From Russia with hate
Angry young men are joining a growing legion of skinheads, and the police are doing little to halt their violence
GRAEME SMITH

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

KRASNOYARSK, RUSSIA — Before the street battles, before the killings, before watching his best friend bleed to death from a knife wound in the neck, Timur Kazantsef's career as a skinhead started with a shopping trip to buy slippers for his grandmother.

The heavyset 16-year-old accompanied his mother on the errand, which took them into the jostling, noisy open-air markets of Krasnoyarsk, an industrial centre in Siberia about 4,200 kilometres east of Moscow.

His mother selected a pair of slippers and tried to haggle with the dark-skinned vendors. The starting price was 50 rubles, or about $2. Mr. Kazantsef's mother got a 10-ruble discount, but she wanted another 10 rubles knocked off the price.

One of the vendors scoffed at them and whispered a profanity.

Mr. Kazantsef punched the man in the face, pushed him down and kicked his head. "I broke his skull," Mr. Kazantsef said proudly as he toyed with his butterfly knife.

For a growing cadre of young skinheads in Russia, the streets are battlegrounds in a war to defend their country's honour. Mr. Kazantsef started by defending his family pride in the marketplace but didn't stop there, continuing to wage a bloody campaign against the dark-skinned migrants he views as a threat to the essence of Russia.

He's part of a trend that's gaining momentum across the country, according to a recent report by the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights.

"The skinhead movement is growing," the report says. "It now numbers up to 50,000 people and is spreading from major regional centres into small towns and villages."

That is an enormous increase from the skinheads' first appearance in Russia around 1992, when a handful of young punks in Moscow and St. Petersburg started copying European neo-Nazis. One expert says Russia is now home to half of the world's skinheads.

These violent punks might be only a fringe element in Russian society, but they're symptomatic of a growing concern about demographics. A broad majority of ethnic Russians feel uncomfortable about the fact that their numbers are shrinking, while they watch their non-Slavic neighbours flourishing.

Nationalist politicians are increasingly vocal in their calls for a clampdown on immigration, and skinheads such as Mr. Kazantsef openly boast about their brutality against the newcomers.

Even more troubling, observers say, is the tendency of law-enforcement and other authorities to tolerate the skinheads. Police rarely name racism as the motive for an attack. In the few cases where an offender is prosecuted, the charge is usually "hooliganism," which carries mild penalties.

This official reluctance makes it difficult to classify racial killings. Rights groups estimate that 67 people died in racially motivated attacks in the last two years, but those numbers make Mr. Kazantsef laugh. "They never write it up," he said. "Nobody wants the people to know what we're doing."

Mr. Kazantsef flaunts the fact that he's unlikely to get a harsh punishment. The vendor whose skull he cracked had serious injuries, he said, but he got only a conditional sentence. He says many police officers sympathize with his cause.

A 19-year-old friend of Mr. Kazantsef said part of his reason for joining the skinheads involved the sexual politics of sharing the city with newcomers.

"I was rejected by three different girls because they preferred foreign guys," said the tall teenager with ugly scars on his shaven head.

"They said to me, 'Those guys are better because they have nice cars, earn more money, and they're nicer than Russians.' "

Mr. Kazantsef and his friend may have slightly different reasons for their anger, but its outlet is the same. In separate interviews, the pair of skinheads told identical stories about joining a so-called brigade led by Mr. Kazantsef's best friend Genia to attack a market.

It was the end of a cold day in November, around 7 p.m., when the group of 15 teenagers walked into the Krastats market near the outskirts of Krasnoyarsk.

They wore black bomber jackets, black jeans with rolled cuffs, and steel-toed combat boots. They had shrugged their suspenders off their shoulders so the black straps hung down from their belts, Mr. Kazantsef said, as a symbol of their readiness for battle.

The market should have been an abandoned warren of steel shipping containers at that time of day, an hour after closing time. The skinheads' scout, a 13-year-old boy, had reported that conditions were ripe to ambush a dozen vendors as they packed up.

But the skinheads were surprised to find a bigger group, perhaps 40 dark-skinned traders finishing their day's work.

Genia, the 16-year-old leader, threw the first punch and hit a fortysomething vendor. Almost immediately, another middle-aged vendor pulled out a four-inch blade and stuck it into Genia's throat. The knife must have hit an artery, Mr. Kazantsef said, because blood spurted everywhere. "All of our brigade attacked that man," Mr. Kazantsef said. "First we killed him, then we took on the others."

Skinheads occasionally arm themselves with metal rods, belts, chains or other basic weapons. Genia's brigade chose fists and boots. Usually a fight lasts half a minute, Mr. Kazantsef said, as the skinheads inflict their damage and escape. This time the fight dragged on for four or five painful minutes.

"There were too many of them," Mr. Kazantsef said. The skinheads finally ran away, leaving the ground covered with blood and their fallen leader behind. They sprinted 50 metres together, then scattered in predetermined directions.

Mr. Kazantsef unrolled the cuffs on his jeans, pulled up his suspenders, put a cap over his shaven head, and disappeared into the city.

Soon after getting confirmation of his friend's death, Mr. Kazantsef became the new leader of his brigade. A spokesman for the Krasnoyarsk police said the force has no record of the incident.

Population non grata

Moscow correspondent Graeme Smith spent six weeks travelling across Russia to explore the causes and effects of Russia's plummeting population. Today he writes from Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, where a group of skinheads boasts of its attacks on foreigners.

A survey conducted last summer revealed the level of intolerance toward non-Russians and tolerance of skinheads. Respondents were asked for their opinion of the following statements.

"Deport all migrants, legal and illegal, and their children"

Under 25 years of age*

Undecided: 9%

Totally disagree: 21%

Mostly disagree: 33%

Mostly agree: 9%

Totally agree: 27%

Over 40 years of age*

Undecided: 9%

Totally disagree: 17%

Mostly disagree: 31%

Mostly agree: 21%

Totally agree: 22%

"Skinheads are not a threat to ethnic relations"

Under 25 years of age*

Undecided: 16%

Totally disagree: 28%

Mostly disagree: 30%

Mostly agree: 15%

Totally agree: 10%

Over 40 years of age*

Undecided: 23%

Totally disagree: 33%

Mostly disagree: 29%

Mostly agree: 11%

Totally agree: 5%

*Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding

SOURCE: SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Posted by: searcher

Interesting and what many Russian don't realize is that they will only have more problems.

Foreign investors will stay away if they do not feel that Russia is a safe place to invest or to have offices, jobs, etc.

Essentially, people like those are only the cause of their own problems.

If women/girls are saying "Those guys are better because they have nice cars, earn more money, and they're nicer than Russians."

Do they think their violent behavior will be perceived by girls/women as being "nicer".... It just stupid, no other word for it. Not only do they show how violent they can be but it is not something that is attractive!

Next those types of characters will want to pass laws making women property and not human beings, they will want some type of "ownership" right over women, as though women don't have a mind or a choice. As if they can just make a claim on a woman and by virtue of that, she is his property.

There are many nice guys in Russia but those guys only perpetuate the stereotypes and if anything, their behavior will only make women think more negatively about them.

Posted by: AkMike

That's pretty sad alright. No wonder the women want to meet men from other lands.
It sounds just lik4e the racial retoric that "Russki Cossak' was spewing here until we discovered that he was a 'poser' here in the states.

Posted by: matt

Hi Everyone,

Last night after my class got over with, I was speaking with my classmate whose grandparents are from Russia. I told him that I was learning how to speak Russian and that in the near future I very much want to visit their. He said that he also wanted to travel there before but his wife would not let him b/c it was too dangerous (w/o naming reasons). He told me I should follow my passion and that however, things s/b okay. For many months now, I have worried a bit about the growing neo-nazi movement. I should add that I am of Korean descent but have lived all my life in Minnesota(USA). I view this 2 ways: one, that if I read the violence too much then I will end up scaring myself from following my dreams and two, that to look at it as one small segment of the total population (therefore similar to any large metropolitan city where their are killings, violence everyday). I guess what I am asking subjectively: how safe will I be? I mean using common sense not going out after dark, etc. But I have been corresponding with one girl for very, very long now and plan to see her this summer in Voronezh and as corny as it may sound, I can't see myself, assuming things continue, to not see her. Any insight is very appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Posted by: markgm

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Hi Everyone,

Last night after my class got over with, I was speaking with my classmate whose grandparents are from Russia. I told him that I was learning how to speak Russian and that in the near future I very much want to visit their. He said that he also wanted to travel there before but his wife would not let him b/c it was too dangerous (w/o naming reasons). He told me I should follow my passion and that however, things s/b okay. For many months now, I have worried a bit about the growing neo-nazi movement. I should add that I am of Korean descent but have lived all my life in Minnesota(USA). I view this 2 ways: one, that if I read the violence too much then I will end up scaring myself from following my dreams and two, that to look at it as one small segment of the total population (therefore similar to any large metropolitan city where their are killings, violence everyday). I guess what I am asking subjectively: how safe will I be? I mean using common sense not going out after dark, etc. But I have been corresponding with one girl for very, very long now and plan to see her this summer in Voronezh and as corny as it may sound, I can't see myself, assuming things continue, to not see her. Any insight is very appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt i would not read into it to much every city has its bad areas and people and it is just common sense in staying safe.
Dont allow yourself to be put in a situation that is dangerous your girl will soon point out to you what to do and what not to do and where not to go.

Posted by: AkMike

Your lady friend will know where to go and where to keep you away from. Just tell her that while you are there she is to be your protector because you are going to be in unfamiliar territory. I did it whe I first went to Ukraine, Tanya took very good care of me.

Posted by: searcher

Hi Matt,

Some of my friends expressed similar concerns before I travelled to Russia.

I am Black/African-American and I didn't have any problems while there.

It is, of course, best to have friends there as they will help you.

Posted by: matt

Hi MarkGM, AKMike and Searcher,

Thanks a lot for your words of wisdom and advice. I feel a lot better knowing that. I don't think there is anything that will prevent me from going regardless.

Thanks,
Matt

Posted by: skinsfan

Matt......all will be okay, enjoy your trip....as the others said, your GF will know what places to avoid....

Posted by: Janus

Do yourself a favor Matt and do your own research. Contact a NGO agency in Moscow that constantly monitors hate crimes. Most ethnics do not report them to the police for fear of deportation and/or verbal abuse and harrassment from the police themselves.

www.interethnic.org is more reliable source of info as the minorities will be more willing to report crimes to their own and their communitie leaders report it to these NGO agencies.

Keep in mind these nationalistic websites that are promoting racist views and xenophobia have lately published copies of "the manual of terror" giving detailed instructions on forming "white patrols" and keeping the cities clean of "trash."

Also keep in mind these thugs roam in packs. Cowards always roam in packs. They won't hesitate to hurt you or your lady friend. Do not expect help from the local russians if you are attacked, they won't risk getting their skull kicked in by 20 punks for some foreigner.

Not trying to scare you or anything. Moscow itself has over 10 million residents so you should be fine but always be informed of the current political/social situation of any country you visit.

Posted by: matt

Thanks Skinsfan/Janus. I agree, my intuition w/o ever having been to Russia is I s/b okay too, so I am not worrying myself about it. Yes, I have read extensively on various news/media excerpts on these events and it gets old quickly and I don't want to get hung up on them either. I agree it is important to be well informed of such large undertaking as this however, I will not let anything discourage me and prevent me from seeing her. Thanks again for your insight.

Regards,
Matt

Posted by: Jutman

Some weeks ago a young african man were killed in sct.pete. The danish news, reported that 17 foriegn students in sct.pete alone were killed since november. More than 50 were attacked.

Its a classic situatin, that in a country with social problems, some turn into nationalism. Here in the scape of skinheads. Just sad.

Posted by: Cheburashka

Come On People!!!! Please stop buying into the fear monger rhetoric.

Yes, there have been 26 hate related deaths in Moscow in the last year. But that's small stuff for a city with 10 million people in it. Chicago had over 2,000 homicides in the same period. Were most of them "hate related"? Yes! You have to hate someone to kill them, I would think.

Snap out of this fear funk, and go have a great time. I bet you will fly there, even though more than a hundred people died in a plane crash in Russia recently. But the odds are with the million visitors Moscow will have this year.

Skinhead violence makes great sensationalism for the press. And it gets people talking. The fact that more than 26 died in car crashes or of alcoholism doesn't. And let's not even talk about who leads the world in HIV/aids growth rate. Where's all the press on that. It doesn't sell papers.

Posted by: Kathy

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

I am of Korean descent but have lived all my life in Minnesota(USA).

Hello Matt. I wouldn't worry about sticking out in Russia. There is a large Korean population in the FSU. One of the biggest rock stars (died young in an accident, in about 1990) was ethnic Korean (or half Korean - I can't remember offhand). Maybe somebody else here will remember his name.

Posted by: matt

Hi Kathy, thanks a lot for the additional feedback.

Matt

Posted by: Kathy

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Hi Kathy, thanks a lot for the additional feedback.

Matt

No problem. I remembered the rock star's name - Victor Tsoi. His band was "Kino".

Here's a website with lots of photos, if you're interested.

http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/VictorTsoi/

There are still rumours that he was killed by the authorities.

Posted by: WhittierRWBound

Does any one know also about attitudes of these nationalistic people about Hispanic or Latin people such as myself? I wonder also if there is information available as to where "NO TO Be" in those cities.

Thanks

Posted by: Rockyof Florida

I was thinking of moving to Russia and joining the law enforcement there, but, I can see I wouldn't fit in at all. After seeing the videos and reading about the skinheads and police getting away with their crimes, I would be odd man out. I wouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior from my co-workers or the skinheads. It is a shame.
Matt, I wouldn't let this stop me from going over there. There is crime everywhere, just keep your eyes open and don't put yourself in harms way.
Good luck!
Rocky

Posted by: Cheburashka

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockyof Florida

I was thinking of moving to Russia and joining the law enforcement there,

Why on earth were you thinking about that? They don't pay squat. I'm not even sure that they would hire an expat. But if you were to be hired in some sort of corporate private security or body guard capacity, that is in high demand; at least in Moscow anyway.

Posted by: Rockyof Florida

Cheb,
I am looking to make a career adjustment. I enjoy what I do, but am getting burned out with the agency I am with. I have enough time in to retire, but am too young to retire. I just figured I could go somewhere else and ply my trade. After everything I have seen about law enforcement in Russia, I know for a fact I wouldn't fit in. Law enforcement needs a complete overhaul in Russia and I am not the person to do it. They need to be held accountable for their actions. I will figure out something to do-LOL.
Rocky

Posted by: inlove

Even if you would have fit in, you could not work in Russian law enforcement. You have to be a Russian citizen to do that.

Posted by: Rockyof Florida

Inlove, maybe through an exchange program!?!! LOL

Posted by: Jill

Quote:

Inlove, maybe through an exchange program!?!! LOL

Actually, there have been exchange programs:

http://www.projectharmony.org/programs/prof/past/cpti/

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill

Actually, there have been exchange programs:

http://www.projectharmony.org/programs/prof/past/cpti/

I wonder what happens faster.. Russian militia men corrupting police force of Rochester, NY or american policemen thoroughly reforming militia force of Velikiy Novgorod...

Posted by: Rockyof Florida

I would be interested in working in the internal affairs department. You have to clean up the police before you can clean up the criminals on the streets. We have one deputy here who violated 158 people's human rights. A thorough investigation was done and the deputy was fired on the spot. He now faces criminal prosecution for his actions and is looking at jail time. The same has to happen in russia in order to clean up law enforcement and the streets.