Representatives of the nationalists and Armenian diaspora of Anapa call for negotiations to settle interethnic conflicts

A confrontation emerged in Anapa between the nationalists and Armenian youth which was caused by an action “Russian jog” held in the town on April, 1. After a mass scuffle and mutual accusations representatives of the nationalists and Armenian diaspora called the parties to settle the controversy peacefully.

The conflict itself took place on Sunday, April, 1, between a group of participants of the “Russian jog” running along the streets of Anapa and representatives of Armenian diaspora. The participants of the jogging twice underwent assaults from their adversaries who disliked the running people’s chants and slogans, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent reports.

According to Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Krasnodar region, about 30 people took part in the scuffles. “After the incident five persons who got light bodily injuries, including scratches and bruises, asked for medical aid”, RIA “Novosti” quotes a representative of Press service of the office.

Alexey Lysiuk, Press secretary of the Department of Interior Affairs in Anapa, reported that an inspection was in process at the moment establishing the participants and witnesses of the scuffle. Both groups participating in the conflict appealed to the police.

According to Petrenko, during the scuffle the parties used professional wrestler’s techniques and some of the participants of the jogging underwent pressure at schools where they studied.

The conflict in Anapa drew a wide response on the Internet. A mass action of Russian nationalists is planned in Anapa on April, 8. Reports of the planned action which the organizers call a “raid of a peacemaking detachment” are posted on social networks. Tens of young people from Moscow, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Stavropol and other cities and towns expressed their readiness to come to the health resort.

Djanik Margaryan, Deputy Chairman of Armenian cultural center of Anapa, explained the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that interethnic conflicts among representatives of different nations took place before the beginning of the holiday season, as a rule.

“It is desirable that power-wielding structures, especially the police, be more watchful for guys with slogans “Armenians, get away from Russia!” and “Russia for the Russians” freely walk about the town. They sometimes miss this and sometimes do not notice. They should always be on the alert”, Margaryan said.

Miroslav Valkovich, Head of Kuban Organizational committee of National-democratic party, explained the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that only a public dialogue might be a way out of the complex situation.

“Interethnic conflicts are not typical of Krasnodar region”, Nicolay Petropavlovky, Director of regional Sociological center, Counselor of Governor of Krasnodar region, declared.

“We are very tolerant people, this is the only way of survival of peaceful population of Kuban”, the Counselor considers.

According to our interlocutor, 99 per cent conflicts start as domestic incidents, “just in this case an interethnic discord took place”. “There must be only one position about it: law is law, equally for all the parties”, the sociologist summed up.