July 13, 2002 - 20:44 AMT
MASS MEETING TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS DETAINED FOR MASS MASSACRE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA TOOK PLACE IN KRASNOARMEYSK, TOWN NEAR MOSCOW
Unauthorized mass meeting to support the people detained for mass massacre of representatives of the Armenian Diaspora took place in Krasnoarmeysk, town situated near Moscow. It should be reminded, at the beginning of the week, Armenian citizens were wounded as a result of the conflict with the local young people. Then, in Krasnoarmeysk, residents and other Armenians were beaten. As a result, five people were taken to hospital and other seven were rendered medical assistance. A group of participants in the disorders were detained on suspicion of violation of the law. Concerning the meeting, as Krasnoarmeysk administration head Vitaly Pashentsev stated in his interview with "ITAR-TASS" agency, the majority of the meeting participants was relatives and friends of the young people- initiators of the mass skirmish. He also stated that on the initiative of several representatives of the neonazi groups, particularly "Russian national unity" who were among the meeting participants, the people cried slogans of neonazi nature. According to V. Pashentsev, "no one has taken" the responsibility for the meeting organization, but "it can be already said that demonstration of domestic nationalism is apparent". The Krasnoarmeysk administration head noted, the town law-enforcement bodies were given instructions "to work in intensive mode for the next week.