Rostov Deputies criticize militia's actions during nationalist actions

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Rostov Region failed to be properly coordinated during the action in memory of the perished student Maxim Sychov and did not interfere into the incident in Zimovniki, where a young Chechen was beaten. This was stated by the participants in the sitting of the Legislative Assembly of the Rostov Region, held on December 23.

Clear actions of the militia would not have let these events to develop, Deputy Igor Kuzhelev was sure. Besides, in his opinion, it is necessary to strengthen control over the educational process and discipline of the students who live in hostels. He also finds it necessary to work with students, who come from other regions, and explain to them, that respect for local cultural traditions is mandatory.

Alexander Dedovich said that on December 18 in Zimovniki, one of the district centres of the Rostov Region, the situation threatened to repeat itself. There, young people beat a Chechen born in that village. According to the deputy, the militia remained inactive, as children of high-ranking officials were involved in the events. Mr Dedovich addressed Alexei Lapin, head of the Rostov militia, who was present at the session, with the request to punish those guilty.

Nikolai Shevchenko believes that the cause of recent conflicts is in the absence of the development programme of interethnic relations both in the Rostov Region and in the Russia as a whole.

The sitting also considered a draft appeal of the Deputies of the Legislative Assembly to residents of the Rostov Region in connection with the actions that took place on December 12.

The document, in particular, says that "the glory of the Rostov Region is made up of people of dozens of nationalities - painter Martiros Saryan and writer Mikhail Sholokhov, athlete David Riegert and actor Rostislav Plyatt, jazz professor Kim Nazaretov and the famous detective Amurkhan Yandiev."

The appeal stresses that "the wealth of the history and culture of our native land can neither be divided nor re-assessed on the national basis."

The draft of the appeal was brought in by Deputy Leonid Shafirov. He said that members of youth parliamentary structures of the Rostov Region took part in drafting the appeal.

The Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Victor Deryabkin reported that the delegates of the 25th Conference of the Rostov Regional Branch of the All-Russian Political Party "Edinaya Rossiya" (United Russia), which was also held on December 23, decided to provide financial aid amounting to 150,000 roubles to the family of Maxim Sychov from the funds of the regional party branch.