Police in Latvia were investigating Monday after a second incident of anti-Semitic vandalism in less than a week. A memorial to Zanis Lipke, a Latvian credited with saving more than 50 Jews from death during World War II, was daubed with paint in the early hours of Monday morning, police said. The memorial was quickly cleaned up by municipal authorities.
The incident came just days after 89 tombstones in the Jewish Cemetery in Riga were daubed with swastikas by vandals. Latvian Foreign Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis was quick to condemn the latest incident, saying 'recurrent acts of vandalism' were unacceptable. Lipke, who died in 1987, was awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations by the Holocaust memorial organization Yad Vashem. Nearly all of Riga's Jews were murdered during World War II by occupying Nazi forces assisted by local volunteers. Several Jewish organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, have warned about high levels of anti-Semitism in the Baltic states.
The issue is put into sharp focus every year in Latvia on March 16, when an unofficial parade takes place in the Latvian capital commemorating members of the Latvian Waffen-SS. Of around 60,000 Jews in Latvia at the start of WWII, only 3,500 survived.
DPA
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
BNP leader Nick Griffin to stand in Oldham East byelection (UK)
Far-right figurehead is latest candidate to confirm bid for seat left empty following Phil Woolas court case.
Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National party, will contest the Oldham East and Saddleworth byelection, the far-right party confirmed today.
Griffin, who currently serves as MEP for the North West, is the latest candidate to confirm his bid to enter the race for the seat left empty by Labour's Phil Woolas.
Judges ordered a rerun of the constituency election after ruling last month at a specially convened court that Woolas had lied to win his seat in May by 103 votes, exploiting racial tensions in order to defeat Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins.
Watkins took Woolas to court under the rarely used section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, claiming that the outcome was influenced by Labour leaflets making false allegations in an effort to sway the white vote in the constituency by wrongly accusing Watkins of wooing Islamist extremists and of not condemning threats of violence.
Woolas was stripped of his seat and banned from standing for election for three years, in the first such judgment for 99 years. He was subsequently expelled by the Labour party and earlier this month failed in an appeal at the high court against the decision.
The Labour party is expected to move a writ in the new year confirming the byelection date. Oldham East is a three-way marginal and the election will see the Lib Dems and Conservatives fighting against each other at the polls for the first time since going into coalition together in May.
The Conservatives today announced that Kashif Ali, who came third in the constituency at the May 2010 election, will stand again.
At the weekend Labour selected Debbie Abrahams, while Watkins will stand again for the Lib Dems.
Griffin's decision to stand comes after a humiliating showing for his party at the general election, when the BNP failed to win a single parliamentary seat at the general election, despite fielding more than 300 candidates.
The BNP leader stood in Barking, where he came third after polling just 4,916 votes despite a sustained campaign in the constituency.
BNP candidate Alwyn Stott came fourth in Oldham East at the general election, with 5.7% of the vote.
The decision by the BNP to field its leader in the race comes on the day that the party came under the spotlight for breaking electoral law in 2008 by "failing to keep accounting records sufficient to explain, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the party at the time".
The Electoral Commission said the party was guilty of a "clear failure" to keep accurate financial records for 2008, adding that it was "frustrating" that it could not impose a penalty on the party because the law at the time did not allow it.
The Guardian
Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National party, will contest the Oldham East and Saddleworth byelection, the far-right party confirmed today.
Griffin, who currently serves as MEP for the North West, is the latest candidate to confirm his bid to enter the race for the seat left empty by Labour's Phil Woolas.
Judges ordered a rerun of the constituency election after ruling last month at a specially convened court that Woolas had lied to win his seat in May by 103 votes, exploiting racial tensions in order to defeat Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins.
Watkins took Woolas to court under the rarely used section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, claiming that the outcome was influenced by Labour leaflets making false allegations in an effort to sway the white vote in the constituency by wrongly accusing Watkins of wooing Islamist extremists and of not condemning threats of violence.
Woolas was stripped of his seat and banned from standing for election for three years, in the first such judgment for 99 years. He was subsequently expelled by the Labour party and earlier this month failed in an appeal at the high court against the decision.
The Labour party is expected to move a writ in the new year confirming the byelection date. Oldham East is a three-way marginal and the election will see the Lib Dems and Conservatives fighting against each other at the polls for the first time since going into coalition together in May.
The Conservatives today announced that Kashif Ali, who came third in the constituency at the May 2010 election, will stand again.
At the weekend Labour selected Debbie Abrahams, while Watkins will stand again for the Lib Dems.
Griffin's decision to stand comes after a humiliating showing for his party at the general election, when the BNP failed to win a single parliamentary seat at the general election, despite fielding more than 300 candidates.
The BNP leader stood in Barking, where he came third after polling just 4,916 votes despite a sustained campaign in the constituency.
BNP candidate Alwyn Stott came fourth in Oldham East at the general election, with 5.7% of the vote.
The decision by the BNP to field its leader in the race comes on the day that the party came under the spotlight for breaking electoral law in 2008 by "failing to keep accounting records sufficient to explain, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the party at the time".
The Electoral Commission said the party was guilty of a "clear failure" to keep accurate financial records for 2008, adding that it was "frustrating" that it could not impose a penalty on the party because the law at the time did not allow it.
The Guardian
Street attack racist yob jailed (UK)
Adam Moran, 22, was jailed for 23 months for the attack on his 41-year old victim after she went to look at the abuse – including a death threat – he'd sprayed on her garage door and wheelie bin.
Moran then turned violent on another neighbour after she came out to try and stop the attack.
Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court the victim had reported problems with youths in the period leading up to the incident in Pontefract on August 8.
Moran wrote messages on her property which read "Tell us to get off again and I will kill you" as well as racist insults before signing his nickname 'Jackass'.
The woman, originally from Zambia, came out of her home.
As she went to take photographs of the damage Moran then hurled vile insults at her including: "You are my slave. You used to shine my shoes. Why don't you go back to your own country?!"
He then grabbed her by the hair before punching, kicking and kneeing her while constantly shouting abuse, the court was told.
A neighbour saw what was happening and ran over to try to help but Moran then swung a punch at her.
His first victim spent two days in hospital with head, back and leg injuries.
Moran later told police his nickname was Jackass but denied the damage.
He claimed he attacked the woman after she dug her nails into him when he went to confront her.
Moran, of Thomas Hill House, Horsefair, Pontefract, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and two offences of racially aggravated damage.
He has previous convictions including burglary, robbery and assaulting a police officer.
Richard Canning, mitigating, said: "He acknowledges that his behaviour was quite frankly appalling and he is very ashamed of it."
Jailing him, Recorder David Hatton said: "These were serious offences, fully motivated by your approach to this woman's background and race."
Yorkshire Evening Post
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Polish Neo-Nazi web site editors get prison sentences
A District Court in the western city of Wroclaw has sentenced three editors of the neo-Nazi Redwatch web site for propagating racism.
Mariusz T. from the southern city of Bielsko-Biala, Andrzej P. from the coastal city of Swinoujscie and Bartosz B. from the northern town of Slupsk were sentenced to up to one and half year in prison for promoting a totalitarian regime in Poland and encouraging hatred towards people of different ethnic origin, nationality, race and religion.
The Polish Redwatch site included a so-called “death list” containing personal data of people who ‘supported’ homosexuality. In July 2006, Polish police shut down the website after a political activist whose name was on the list was stabbed.
The Redwatch web site belongs to a British fascist organization “Blood and Honour”, which has branches in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.
Redwatch publishes photographs and personal information of left-wing, anarchist, anti-fascist, gay and feminist activists. It also popularizes racial hatred and incites violence against people called “enemies of the race”.
The News PL
Mariusz T. from the southern city of Bielsko-Biala, Andrzej P. from the coastal city of Swinoujscie and Bartosz B. from the northern town of Slupsk were sentenced to up to one and half year in prison for promoting a totalitarian regime in Poland and encouraging hatred towards people of different ethnic origin, nationality, race and religion.
The Polish Redwatch site included a so-called “death list” containing personal data of people who ‘supported’ homosexuality. In July 2006, Polish police shut down the website after a political activist whose name was on the list was stabbed.
The Redwatch web site belongs to a British fascist organization “Blood and Honour”, which has branches in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.
Redwatch publishes photographs and personal information of left-wing, anarchist, anti-fascist, gay and feminist activists. It also popularizes racial hatred and incites violence against people called “enemies of the race”.
The News PL
LEADER OF AUSTRIAN FAR RIGHT WANTS TO MEET MEMBERS OF US TEA PARTY MOVEMENT
The head of Austria's far right Freedom Party says he wants to meet with representatives of the ultraconservative U.S. tea party movement. Heinz-Christian Strache described the movement as "highly interesting" and claims his party has received and will accept invitations from the United States. Strache made the comments in an interview with Austria's Die Presse newspaper published Sunday. Spokesman Karl Heinz Gruensteidl confirmed the remarks but declined to provide more details. The anti-immigration Freedom Party is the third largest political force in Austria's parliament and recently saw a surge in support in local elections in Vienna, the country's capital, following a campaign laced with anti-Islamic rhetoric.
Associated Press
Associated Press
Two men charged over sick poppy-burning rally (UK)
Two men accused of burning poppies during the Armistice Day silence have been charged with a public order offence.
Mohammed Haque, 30, and Amdadur Choudhury, 26, were arrested at a rally by the extremist group Muslims Against Crusades in Kensington, West London, on November 11.
They allegedly burned a model poppy and chanted “British soldiers burn in hell” during the two-minute silence.
The founder of the far-right English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, 27, was also arrested as his group staged a counter protest.
Haque and Choudhury will appear at City of Westminster magistrates court next Wednesday.
The Mirror
Mohammed Haque, 30, and Amdadur Choudhury, 26, were arrested at a rally by the extremist group Muslims Against Crusades in Kensington, West London, on November 11.
They allegedly burned a model poppy and chanted “British soldiers burn in hell” during the two-minute silence.
The founder of the far-right English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, 27, was also arrested as his group staged a counter protest.
Haque and Choudhury will appear at City of Westminster magistrates court next Wednesday.
The Mirror
Neo-Nazi admits being racist, denies stabbing neighbors (USA)
But he denied killing anyone.
"I'm guilty of being an a------," he said Monday, "but not of murder."
Ditullio, 24, is accused in a 2006 double stabbing that injured a woman and left a teenager dead. He went to trial last year on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, but the jury, leaning toward acquittal, ended up deadlocked.
He took the stand in his own defense then and again Monday, calmly answering questions, never losing his temper and revealing much about his mentality at the time.
Ditullio said he was working as a tattoo apprentice in New Port Richey when a friend introduced him to the American Nazi group living in a mobile home on Teak Street.
"He suggested there would be some tattoo work I could make some money on," he said.
But he quickly formed stronger ties.
"I was blown away, man. I get to this place. It's like a 19-year-old's dream. Everybody was drinking. There was guns everywhere. I was blown away by the theatrics," he said.
"You viewed this group as a family?" one of his attorneys, J. Jervis Wise, asked him.
"As a brotherhood, as a family, absolutely," Ditullio said.
He felt a particular bond with Brian Buckley, the group's president, who is now serving a prison sentence for burglary.
"I was just overwhelmed with finding a father figure in my life," Ditullio said.
He soon became a prospect, vying for full membership. That meant he had to follow orders, wear a uniform, perform manual labor and submit to hazing.
He also took part in harassing the neighbors next door: a woman named Patricia Wells, who lived there with her son, Brandon Wininger, who was gay. Kristofer King, a friend of Wininger, often stayed over.
Ditullio said he didn't harbor any particular malice toward gay people, but he admitted shouting slurs at Wininger.
On March 22, authorities say, Ditullio put on a gas mask and barged into Wells' house, stabbing her in the face and hands as she ran to a bedroom where King was using the computer. Then he turned on King, 17, who died of his stab wounds.
But Ditullio testified that he never left the neo-Nazi house that night after the group had forced a familiar hazing ritual on him: lacing his drink with Xanax, then taunting to him to stay awake.
He said he was starting to pass out on the couch when Shawn Plott, another group member, tossed the gas mask at him and told him to hang it up.
"He had the look on his face like when an animal sees a human for the first time," Ditullio said. "He was shaken."
Ditullio said Plott was wearing khaki pants and a white T-shirt — the same clothes Wells described her attacker as wearing. She also said the attacker had no tattoos on his arms, and Ditullio's lawyer had him show the jury the tattoos that cover both of his arms.
Ditullio was soon alone in the compound, thinking another hazing was unfolding. They called it "code red" and his challenge was to stay inside with guns, make sure they were loaded and guard the compound.
He had no idea, he said, what had happened next door.
In and out of sleep, he said the next thing he knew, there were deputies everywhere, surrounding the compound.
With the neo-Nazi group, he learned about events like Ruby Ridge and Waco, when government agents targeted separatist groups. He thought that's what was happening to him.
He took more Xanax and went to sleep. And sometime during the night he wrote a missive declaring he was ready to die for his race.
"I see that it's not okay for me to go over to their house and exterminate them, but it's okay for the pigs to come in here and shoot me," he wrote.
Ditullio, who said he didn't remember writing the note but acknowledged it was his, said he was referring only to the police — not the stabbing victims.
Prosecutors have called two DNA analysts who said they found blood on Ditullio's boot containing Wells' DNA.
Jury members, who were allowed to write down their own questions for Ditullio, zeroed in on that issue.
How could her blood have gotten on his boot? one of them asked.
Ditullio answered that when he was arrested the day after the stabbing, officers walked him through the crime scene.
"Blood was everywhere," he said.
TampaBay.com
Councillor accuses party of racism in resignation letter (UK)
A Rochdale Councillor who today (Monday 13 December 2010) resigned from the Liberal Democrats has made racist allegations against the party.
Councillor Mohammad Sharif has resigned from the party because issues he raised with the acting leader of the party, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, have not been resolved.
Below, is Councillor Sharif’s letter of resignation. The letter lists what Councillor Sharif said are his 'five reasons' for resigning.
Dear Councillor Mulgrew
In our meeting on Monday 22 November 2010, I raised five issues with you namely:
1. What are you offering to local BME community?
2. When one third of councillors in the group is unhappy with the group leadership, then the honourable thing is to resign. When are you resigning?
3. The Lib-Dem group hasn’t accepted Shah as one of your Councillors. Lib-Dem does not have equality and diversity policy at all, what are you going to do about?
4. Vetting process must be changed, because it is unfair process.
5. There are five Councillor in your group who are racist would you name them or shall I?
Since the meeting you have not responded to me nor have you have addressed those issues.
Therefore I would not be part of the group which has racist elements, and now I am resigning from LIB-DEM party, but I will continue as a Milkstone and Deeplish ward Councillor.
Yours Sincerely,
Councillor Sharif
When asked to expand on his reasons for resigning, Councillor Sharif told Rochdale Online, “The letter is very clear.”
Speaking about the letter, Councillor Dale Mulgrew said: “Clearly there are serious allegations about racism that Councillor Sharif makes in this letter.
“The Liberal Democrats refute all allegations of racism. We have demonstrated over the years that we are committed to diversity and equality. This has led to the current Mayor of Rochdale being an Asian Councillor and he is an excellent ambassador for community cohesion."
Rochdale On-Line
Councillor Mohammad Sharif has resigned from the party because issues he raised with the acting leader of the party, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, have not been resolved.
Below, is Councillor Sharif’s letter of resignation. The letter lists what Councillor Sharif said are his 'five reasons' for resigning.
Dear Councillor Mulgrew
In our meeting on Monday 22 November 2010, I raised five issues with you namely:
1. What are you offering to local BME community?
2. When one third of councillors in the group is unhappy with the group leadership, then the honourable thing is to resign. When are you resigning?
3. The Lib-Dem group hasn’t accepted Shah as one of your Councillors. Lib-Dem does not have equality and diversity policy at all, what are you going to do about?
4. Vetting process must be changed, because it is unfair process.
5. There are five Councillor in your group who are racist would you name them or shall I?
Since the meeting you have not responded to me nor have you have addressed those issues.
Therefore I would not be part of the group which has racist elements, and now I am resigning from LIB-DEM party, but I will continue as a Milkstone and Deeplish ward Councillor.
Yours Sincerely,
Councillor Sharif
When asked to expand on his reasons for resigning, Councillor Sharif told Rochdale Online, “The letter is very clear.”
Speaking about the letter, Councillor Dale Mulgrew said: “Clearly there are serious allegations about racism that Councillor Sharif makes in this letter.
“The Liberal Democrats refute all allegations of racism. We have demonstrated over the years that we are committed to diversity and equality. This has led to the current Mayor of Rochdale being an Asian Councillor and he is an excellent ambassador for community cohesion."
Rochdale On-Line
Monday, 13 December 2010
Nazi salute allegation over First Lady (Germany)
Germany's First Lady Bettina Wulff has been reported to police for making what looks suspiciously like the banned Heil Hitler! salute on the steps of the presidential palace in Berlin.
Police are obliged to investigate the complaint against the wife of president Christian Wulff - even though it has been made by a neo-Nazi.
Franc Rennicke, a member of the far right NPD party who made an unsuccessful bid to become president himself earlier this year, sent the photo to prosecutors.
It shows 45-year-old Mrs. Wulff with her right hand rigidly raised in what looks like the banned salute although aides say the camera has just caught her wave at the ``wrong angle.´´
“For decades the so-called German greeting has been outlawed and thousands of people have been taken to court for making it,“ wrote Rennicke. “The photo of her outside Scholss Bellvue in Berlin clearly
shows her making this banned gesture".
German Herald
Police are obliged to investigate the complaint against the wife of president Christian Wulff - even though it has been made by a neo-Nazi.
Franc Rennicke, a member of the far right NPD party who made an unsuccessful bid to become president himself earlier this year, sent the photo to prosecutors.
It shows 45-year-old Mrs. Wulff with her right hand rigidly raised in what looks like the banned salute although aides say the camera has just caught her wave at the ``wrong angle.´´
“For decades the so-called German greeting has been outlawed and thousands of people have been taken to court for making it,“ wrote Rennicke. “The photo of her outside Scholss Bellvue in Berlin clearly
shows her making this banned gesture".
German Herald
Anti-Muslim US preacher Terry Jones could be banned from UK
The American preacher who planned a mass burning of the Qur'an on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks could be banned from entering Britain under incitement and national security laws.
Terry Jones, a pentecostal preacher, is to address the far-right group, the English Defence League (EDL), about "the evils of Islam" at a rally in Luton in February.
Theresa May, the home secretary, is under intense pressure to ban Jones and said she was "actively looking" at the case. She said Jones had "been on her radar for a few months" and, as home secretary, she could ban his entry if he was a threat to national security.
A statement on Jones's website said: "During the protest, Dr Terry Jones will speak against the evils and destructiveness of Islam in support of the continued fight against the Islamification of England and Europe." The EDL said it was "proud to announce" that Jones would be attending its "biggest demonstration to date".
The anti-racism movement Hope Not Hate launched a petition to ban Jones as "a preacher of hate". Nick Lowles, editor of Searchlight magazine, and the campaign's co-ordinator, said: "[His] presence in Luton will be incendiary and highly dangerous. He will attract and encourage thousands of English Defence League supporters to take to the streets of Luton.
"Like the EDL, Pastor Jones indiscriminately targets all Muslims and their actions can only lead to increased tensions and racism in our communities." During its last march in Luton, 250 EDL supporters rampaged through an Asian area, attacking people and damaging property. On Saturday, 500 marched in Peterborough, leading to 11 arrests. "The EDL march in February has the potential to be far worse," Lowles said. "Only extremists will benefit from his visit and, as we know, extremism breeds hatred and hatred breeds violence. Pastor Jones, a preacher of hate, must be stopped from entering the UK."
Jones's stunt – he called it international burn-a-Qur'an day, on 11 September – caused widespread alarm as he enacted a countdown. He then issued a two-hour deadline, on television, to Feisal Abdul Rauf, the imam linked to the proposal to build an Islamic cultural centre near Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 attacks.
Barack Obama warned Jones that his actions would boost al-Qaida and put US citizens and soldiers at risk. The president's intervention is believed to have persuaded the head of the Dove World Outreach Centre church in Gainesville, Florida, to call off the stunt with just a day to spare.
Jones was also denounced by leaders of the Christian Community of Cologne, a church he founded in Germany in the 1980s and which subsequently dismissed him from the board after allegations he mistreated followers.
The home secretary has the power to exclude or deport Jones if his presence in the UK could threaten national security, public order or the safety of citizens, or if she believes his views glorify terrorism, promote violence or encourage other serious crime.
In June she banned Zakir Naik – a preacher who claimed that "every Muslim should be a terrorist" – from entering the UK.
However, any eventual decision by May could be reversed. Last year, the ban imposed by the Home Office on the Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders was overturned at an immigration tribunal.
The Guardian
President Nixon's racist views recorded (USA)
Then national security adviser Henry Kissinger, who is Jewish himself, also said it was no concern of the US if Soviet Jews were gassed, in conversations barely a year before Nixon was forced to quit over the Watergate scandal.
"The Jews have certain traits," Nixon said in a conversation with an adviser in February 1973, which was among 265 hours of recordings released by the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in California.
"The Irish have certain ... for example, the Irish can't drink. What you always have to remember with the Irish is they get mean. Virtually every Irish I've known gets mean when he drinks.
"The Italians, of course, those people of course don't have their heads screwed on tight.
"They are wonderful people, but ... " he said before trailing off, in conversations highlighted by the New York Times on Saturday.
Kissinger dismissed calls for Washington to press Soviet authorities to allow Jews to emigrate to escape persecution.
"If they put Jews into gas chambers in the Soviet Union, it is not an American concern. Maybe a humanitarian concern."
"I know," Nixon responded. "We can't blow up the world because of it."
Nixon also suggested that many Jews were "deserters" for having moved to Canada to avoid being drafted for the Vietnam war.
"I didn't notice many Jewish names coming back from Vietnam."
"The deserters," he said.
Herald Sun
11 ARRESTS AT EDL'S PETERBOROUGH DEMONSTRATION (uk)
Supporters of the far right group, which opposes what it describes as the rise of militant Islam, have been involved in violent confrontations with anti-fascist campaigners at events across England in recent months. There were fears of a repeat today, prompting a large-scale police operation to keep the EDL protest and a counter-demonstration organised by the Peterborough Trades Union Council apart. Around 1,000 EDL supporters gathered at a site close to Peterborough United Football Club's ground to hear a speech by the group's founder Tommy Robinson, who is also known as Stephen Lennon. A large police presence as they dispersed helped to nullify the threat of large-scale disorder, but there were a small number of minor skirmishes. Two people were arrested for possessing an offensive weapon, two on suspicion of assaulting police officers, two for affray and a further five for minor public order offences. Superintendent Paul Fullwood of Cambridgeshire Police said the operation to protect the public, which involved more than 1,000 officers, had been a great success. 'Peterborough stood firm and the city should be proud of the way it has responded to today's events,' he said. 'There were some issues of disorder dealt with promptly and professionally to achieve a peaceful outcome. Some arrests have been made, but both protests have been generally peaceful.'
Metro
Metro
Russian football fans run riot in Moscow protest
Thousands of fans, supported by members of far-right groups, gathered in Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin for the unauthorised protest, with some shouting slogans such as "Russia for Russians" and performing Nazi salutes, according to an AFP photographer.
They were protesting the death of Yegor Sviridov, a Spartak Moscow fan who was shot in the head last Saturday during a fight with men from the Russian Caucasus.
The incident has exposed the close links between Russian extremists and football supporters, and is a major embarrassment for the country so soon after it won the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
As many as 5,000 people, many wearing hoods and scarves to cover their faces, descended on the square, and fighting quickly broke out when protestors threw flares and objects at anti-riot police.
Several dozen supporters suffered injuries as they fought with police, while demonstrators also violently attacked at least five men of Caucasus origin, who were seen with bleeding faces.
A total of 65 people were arrested, according to police.
"Thirteen people including police officers have been hospitalised," said Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, who blamed the violence on "left-wing extremists".
Protestors beat up a cameraman of state news agency RIA Novosti and smashed his camera.
Security was reinforced in the Moscow metro system after demonstrators smashed a number of barriers, Russian news agencies reported.
"If the authorities don't change the policy on immigration, there will be a lot of bloodshed," said one demonstrator, whose face was hidden behind a black mask.
Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev said he had been to the square to talk with demonstrators, and confirmed that police had kept force to a minimum.
This provoked criticism from rights activists, who say police rarely show such restraint when dealing with opposition protests.
The suspect in Sviridov's shooting, Aslan Cherkesov, who is from the Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, is under arrest and claimed he was acting in self defence.
The violence followed a protest on Tuesday evening in which around 1,000 people blocked a Moscow highway and shouted racist slogans.
Meanwhile in Saint Petersburg, around 1,500 supporters gathered for a similar unauthorised protest.
Police arrested about 60 people when fans broke through a police cordon and stopped traffic on several major roads.
Spartak Moscow is one of the top Russian premiership sides and it has an impassioned support base in the capital.
As Russia prepares to host the 2018 World Cup, its football fans -- some of whom model themselves on British hooligans, wearing the same fashion labels and calling themselves "firms" -- will be closely watched by the authorities.
In July another Spartak fan, telejournalist Yury Volkov, was stabbed to death in a fight with men from the Russian Caucasus in a central Moscow park. A Chechen man has been charged with the crime.
The killing prompted fans to brandish banners with Volkov's name at matches and to hold several public protests.
Tahoo News
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Vicious teens cried 'Jew, Jew' as they punched and beat rabbi unconscious during Thanksgiving attack (USA)
The victim of a Thanksgiving hate crime testified Friday his attackers screamed "Jew, Jew!" as they beat him unconscious on a Brooklyn street.
"They ripped off my clothes, my hat and my yarmulke. They were punching my face," said Joel Weinberger, 26, a Hasidic rabbi and father of four.
Weinberger ended up with numerous fractures and a broken eye socket. He had three steel implants in his cheek, he told the Daily News outside the courtroom.
"I was hit from the back; I lost consciousness," Weinberger testified at an evidence hearing.
He came to, tried to run away, but was hit repeatedly until he blacked out again, he said.
Two 15-year-old boys were charged with assault as a hate crime for the attack on Harrison St. in Williamsburg.
Two NYPD detectives testified that the teens said they attacked "the Jew" because "it was something fun to do."
Detective Nicole Carter said the boys claimed they "were bored," went to a park, bought a "$5 bag of weed, got high" and then decided to go to what they called "Jew town."
One of the teens is accused of later beating two other Orthodox Jews - one last Saturday and another on Monday as he left a Chanukah party.
Because the suspects were charged as juveniles, The News is not publishing their names.
Both are chronic truants and drug users who cannot be controlled by their parents, probation reports say.
One of the teens was laughing during the proceedings, prompting a warning from the judge to "treat the process with dignity."
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 17.
NY Daily News
"They ripped off my clothes, my hat and my yarmulke. They were punching my face," said Joel Weinberger, 26, a Hasidic rabbi and father of four.
Weinberger ended up with numerous fractures and a broken eye socket. He had three steel implants in his cheek, he told the Daily News outside the courtroom.
"I was hit from the back; I lost consciousness," Weinberger testified at an evidence hearing.
He came to, tried to run away, but was hit repeatedly until he blacked out again, he said.
Two 15-year-old boys were charged with assault as a hate crime for the attack on Harrison St. in Williamsburg.
Two NYPD detectives testified that the teens said they attacked "the Jew" because "it was something fun to do."
Detective Nicole Carter said the boys claimed they "were bored," went to a park, bought a "$5 bag of weed, got high" and then decided to go to what they called "Jew town."
One of the teens is accused of later beating two other Orthodox Jews - one last Saturday and another on Monday as he left a Chanukah party.
Because the suspects were charged as juveniles, The News is not publishing their names.
Both are chronic truants and drug users who cannot be controlled by their parents, probation reports say.
One of the teens was laughing during the proceedings, prompting a warning from the judge to "treat the process with dignity."
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 17.
NY Daily News
Swedish teacher keeps job after racist remarks
Political leaders in Landskrona in southern Sweden have condemned racist remarks made by a local teacher at one of the city's schools two years ago. However, the teacher continues to teach in the municipality.
Among other statements, the teacher questioned the rights of immigrants to have children, according to a recording made by a student.
"The statement is shocking. I am glad that the principal and human resources manager acted forcefully," said Landskrona children and youth committee chairwoman Lisa Flinth of the Liberal Party (Folkpartiet) to the TT news agency.
Educational broadcaster UR's Skolfront programme reported that the teacher's comment was not an isolated incident. According to a number of students, parents and former employees, several of the school's staff members had made xenophobic remarks to their students.
The municipality has condemned the utterances, but has not commented on how the teacher managed to escape any disciplinary action by transferring to another school.
Flinth views the incident as strictly a staffing-related matter that she would not get involved in.
At a Friday press conference called by Landskrona municipality following the UR report, Thomas Johansson, director of administration for the children and education committee in Landskrona, said that he only arrived in Landskrona in September of last year.
In addition, he claimed that none of the principals who now work at the school in question in Landskrona had anything to do with the incident.
As a result, he declined to comment on the particular case exposed by Skolfront, but said that if any teacher would express such an opinion now, he could not see how it would be possible for the teacher to continue teaching in Landskrona.
When asked if he would notify the police if he learned of these types of opinions being expressed, Johansson said, "We always notify [the police] if staff or students commit crimes. Here in Landskrona, we have absolutely zero tolerance for any insults against the students."
Regarding the news that the teacher in this case is still working in the municipality, Johansson said that it is impossible to take action against the teacher now for what may have happened two years ago.
The transfer was the result of a central bargaining agreement, he added.
The Local Sweden
Among other statements, the teacher questioned the rights of immigrants to have children, according to a recording made by a student.
"The statement is shocking. I am glad that the principal and human resources manager acted forcefully," said Landskrona children and youth committee chairwoman Lisa Flinth of the Liberal Party (Folkpartiet) to the TT news agency.
Educational broadcaster UR's Skolfront programme reported that the teacher's comment was not an isolated incident. According to a number of students, parents and former employees, several of the school's staff members had made xenophobic remarks to their students.
The municipality has condemned the utterances, but has not commented on how the teacher managed to escape any disciplinary action by transferring to another school.
Flinth views the incident as strictly a staffing-related matter that she would not get involved in.
At a Friday press conference called by Landskrona municipality following the UR report, Thomas Johansson, director of administration for the children and education committee in Landskrona, said that he only arrived in Landskrona in September of last year.
In addition, he claimed that none of the principals who now work at the school in question in Landskrona had anything to do with the incident.
As a result, he declined to comment on the particular case exposed by Skolfront, but said that if any teacher would express such an opinion now, he could not see how it would be possible for the teacher to continue teaching in Landskrona.
When asked if he would notify the police if he learned of these types of opinions being expressed, Johansson said, "We always notify [the police] if staff or students commit crimes. Here in Landskrona, we have absolutely zero tolerance for any insults against the students."
Regarding the news that the teacher in this case is still working in the municipality, Johansson said that it is impossible to take action against the teacher now for what may have happened two years ago.
The transfer was the result of a central bargaining agreement, he added.
The Local Sweden
Brighouse Facebook racist Kalum Dyson avoids prison term (UK)
Kalum Dyson, of Frances Street in Brighouse, created a group called ‘Pakis Die’ on the social networking website.
The 21-year-old also posted messages including one which said: “Help me shoot all the Pakis.”
One of his listed friends, who is believed to have had an Asian boyfriend, complained to police after he sent her an invitation to join the group.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of sending an offensive or indecent, obscene or menacing electronic communication at Calderdale Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Dyson, who has children aged two years and just five-weeks-old and works as a floor layer, was given a community order.
But chairman of the bench Tim Cole told him the offence was so serious it could have merited a jail term.
“We find this a very serious offence to which a custodial sentence could have been given,” he said.
The court heard Dyson was arrested in July – two months after setting up the group.
Jane Farrar, prosecuting, told the court one of his Facebook friends had reported the matter to the police after he sent her an invite to join.
She said: “She was utterly disgusted by the comments and was deeply offended by it.”
Dyson admitted setting up the site, which Facebook immediately removed, and told officers Muslims “should understand what the British Army was fighting for’’.
But he also said he was not racist, claiming he had “black” friends.
Michelle Flaga, mitigating, said her client was sorry.
She added: “It started out as a joke. People have different perceptions of what jokes may be.”
She added: “In hindsight, he appreciates people could have been offended by the nature of the comments.”
Dyson, who lives with his parents, was given a 12-month community order, to include 150 hours of unpaid community work, and a 30-day curfew. He must stay at home between the hours of 9pm and 5am.
He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.
A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said hate crime was a serious offence.
She said: “West Yorkshire Police treat any reports of hate crime extremely seriously and will thoroughly investigate them and take firm action against those responsible.
“On top of the impact such incidents have on the victims themselves, hate crimes can have a corrosive effect on our communities and cannot be tolerated.
“We want victims of hate crime to feel confident that if they come forward they will be taken seriously and helped and supported by ourselves and our partner agencies.”
A spokeswoman for the charity Stop Hate UK added: “Stop Hate UK is extremely concerned that perpetrators believe they can get away with committing hate crime, especially when it’s done in such a public way.
“We hope that this case reminds people that racism and other types of hate crime, in whatever form it takes, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Hudersfield Examiner
CZECH POLL SHOWS ULTRA-RIGHT WINGERS MOSTLY FRUSTRATED, UNEMPLOYED MEN
A poll conducted by the STEM agency for the Czech Interior Ministry reports that roughly 6 % of Czechs agree with most of the ideology of the ultra-right and would be willing to actively support extreme right-wing efforts by participating in demonstrations or other events. Another 2 % of people would not go as far as to provide active support, but would at least be willing to vote for an ultra-right party. The poll shows that 20 % of Czechs expressed repugnance for extreme right-wing ideology, while 70 % of respondents identified with at least some ultra-right attitudes. Roughly 10 % of respondents agreed with most aspects of ultra-right ideology. The agency identified the attitudes of anti-Gypsyism, anti-Semitism, authoritarianism, homophobia, nationalism, racism and xenophobia as ultra-right wing. The poll shows that the 8 % of respondents who might actively support a particular ultra-right group, or who would at least vote for an ultra-right party, are less educated than those who would not and hold radical opinions, calling for "governing with a firm hand." Most of the 6 % of the population that the poll referred to as "significantly high-risk" with respect to right-wing extremism are male and unemployed.
"People falling into that group often say there is not enough law and order in society. They display signs of anomie, meaning that they feel the norms around them are falling apart, that society is out of control, and that they have been personally uprooted," the STEM agency reports. "Respondents falling into this category evidence strong frustrations in their assessment of how society operates, in their family lives, in the material resources available to them, and in their professional lives." Such people are said to often feel they are unable to apply their abilities in society. They are dissatisfied with their surroundings and believe others do not understand them. "That particular high-risk population group also frequently shows signs of personality disorders which often lead to unpremeditated emotional behavior," the agency says. As far as political attitudes go, such persons are most often conservatives who exalt the significance of nationality and demand the imposition of harsher punishments for crimes. A large number of them - more than one-third - stated they felt they had long been oppressed by minorities, primarily the Roma. According to the poll, the parts of the Czech Republic which are most at risk for a population espousing the ultra-right ideology are the Moravian-Silesian, Plzeò and Ústà regions. The poll was conducted between 17 September and 15 October 2010, among 2 056 respondents.
Romea
"People falling into that group often say there is not enough law and order in society. They display signs of anomie, meaning that they feel the norms around them are falling apart, that society is out of control, and that they have been personally uprooted," the STEM agency reports. "Respondents falling into this category evidence strong frustrations in their assessment of how society operates, in their family lives, in the material resources available to them, and in their professional lives." Such people are said to often feel they are unable to apply their abilities in society. They are dissatisfied with their surroundings and believe others do not understand them. "That particular high-risk population group also frequently shows signs of personality disorders which often lead to unpremeditated emotional behavior," the agency says. As far as political attitudes go, such persons are most often conservatives who exalt the significance of nationality and demand the imposition of harsher punishments for crimes. A large number of them - more than one-third - stated they felt they had long been oppressed by minorities, primarily the Roma. According to the poll, the parts of the Czech Republic which are most at risk for a population espousing the ultra-right ideology are the Moravian-Silesian, Plzeò and Ústà regions. The poll was conducted between 17 September and 15 October 2010, among 2 056 respondents.
Romea
CZECHS CRITICISED FOR HOMOSEXUAL 'SEXUAL AROUSAL' TESTS
In a report on homosexual equality, the Agency for Fundamental Rights said that phallometric testing, when men are shown both homosexual and heterosexual pornography while censors monitor the blood flow to the penis, "was questionable, since it is dubious whether it reaches sufficiently clear conclusions". The Czech Republic is the only country in the EU that uses phallometric testing in order to distinguish true asylum seekers from those that might use claims of homosexuality and subsequent persecution back home as ruse to get into the country. The EU agency also said that the test could fall foul of the European Charter of Human Rights, which prohibits degrading and humiliating treatment, adding that "this exam is particularly inappropriate for asylum seekers, given the fact that many of them might have suffered abuse due to their sexual orientation". The Czech Republic's human rights commission described the test as "undignified".
But the Czech interior ministry defended the method, saying that it was part of a "comprehensive" system to check the veracity of claims, that it was voluntary and had only been used in about ten cases. Vladimir Repka, a ministry spokesman, explained that the test was applied mainly to asylum seekers from countries "that severely punish homosexuality". "These are people from areas where Islamic Sharia law is applied, or from countries which have a strong Islamic influence," he explained, citing Iran, Syria, Azerbaijan and Nigeria as examples. But the Fundamental Rights Agency questioned the interior ministry's claims that the test was "voluntary", arguing that asylum seekers, fearing authorities might interpret their refusal to take the test as suspicious, may feel obliged to take it. The agency argued that other, less intrusive, ways of determining somebody's sexual orientation such as psychological testing should be used instead. Petr Khollovou, from Czech organisation People in Need, which provides support for asylum seekers, said that people who had undergone the examination had been "shocked" by the procedure.
The Telegraph
But the Czech interior ministry defended the method, saying that it was part of a "comprehensive" system to check the veracity of claims, that it was voluntary and had only been used in about ten cases. Vladimir Repka, a ministry spokesman, explained that the test was applied mainly to asylum seekers from countries "that severely punish homosexuality". "These are people from areas where Islamic Sharia law is applied, or from countries which have a strong Islamic influence," he explained, citing Iran, Syria, Azerbaijan and Nigeria as examples. But the Fundamental Rights Agency questioned the interior ministry's claims that the test was "voluntary", arguing that asylum seekers, fearing authorities might interpret their refusal to take the test as suspicious, may feel obliged to take it. The agency argued that other, less intrusive, ways of determining somebody's sexual orientation such as psychological testing should be used instead. Petr Khollovou, from Czech organisation People in Need, which provides support for asylum seekers, said that people who had undergone the examination had been "shocked" by the procedure.
The Telegraph
Friday, 10 December 2010
Suspected Israeli neo-Nazi arrested in Kyrgyzstan
Dmitri Bogotich was convinced he would be free forever. The ease with which he managed to slip out of Israel, and the law enforcement authorities' complete indifference to his escape and his new life, allowed the man described as "the first neo-Nazi soldier in Israel" to feel safe in his new home in the heart of Moscow.
Bogotich felt so secure that he focused on his law studies there, as if he was not the defendant in one of the most severe indictments ever filed in Israel.
Yesterday, however, the Justice Ministry confirmed that Bogotich had been arrested by Interpol in Kyrgyzstan, at the airport near that nation's capital.
When I met him in March of 2008 in Moscow, he was careful but also confident that the authorities in Russia would not extradite him to Israel, even if he was arrested. When he is finally extradited to Israel, Bogotich will be tried like the other members of his neo-Nazi gang - Patrol 36 - which terrorized the streets of Tel Aviv from 2006 to 2007.
The gang would go out a little after midnight and find a victim to abuse. Drunk with power and alcohol, they would kick, punch and break things - documenting everything on cell-phone cameras. They selected their victims on the basis of neo-Nazi propaganda: dark-skinned people, foreign workers, drug addicts, homosexuals and anyone else who was in their way.
Eight members of the gang were arrested in 2007; Bogotich, who is suspected of being the gang leader, was the only one who disappeared. By day he served in the Israel Defense Forces as a guard, and by night, according to the indictment, he would lynch people based on their ethnicity.
On July 18, 2007, police investigators went to the apartment he shared with his mother in Tel Aviv and brought him in for questioning. By the next day, he had already fled the country.
When I met with him eight months later, he said he did not have to work very hard to evade the authorities. The day after his questioning, he claimed, he managed to lower his military profile and was immediately released from the army. He then got on a flight to Athens.
While the Israeli authorities began to consider issuing a warrant to prevent him from leaving the country, Bogotich had already been in Moscow for some time. According to Russian law, the authorities do not extradite Russian citizens who have committed crimes in other countries. Truth be told, Israel did not even seek his extradition.
No one involved in the case in Israel knew where Bogotich was, and in practice no one bothered to look for him. When the investigative television show "Uvda" ("Fact" ) decided to try a little harder than the police, we managed to locate him fairly quickly in Moscow - free and happy.
Haaretz
Bogotich felt so secure that he focused on his law studies there, as if he was not the defendant in one of the most severe indictments ever filed in Israel.
Yesterday, however, the Justice Ministry confirmed that Bogotich had been arrested by Interpol in Kyrgyzstan, at the airport near that nation's capital.
When I met him in March of 2008 in Moscow, he was careful but also confident that the authorities in Russia would not extradite him to Israel, even if he was arrested. When he is finally extradited to Israel, Bogotich will be tried like the other members of his neo-Nazi gang - Patrol 36 - which terrorized the streets of Tel Aviv from 2006 to 2007.
The gang would go out a little after midnight and find a victim to abuse. Drunk with power and alcohol, they would kick, punch and break things - documenting everything on cell-phone cameras. They selected their victims on the basis of neo-Nazi propaganda: dark-skinned people, foreign workers, drug addicts, homosexuals and anyone else who was in their way.
Eight members of the gang were arrested in 2007; Bogotich, who is suspected of being the gang leader, was the only one who disappeared. By day he served in the Israel Defense Forces as a guard, and by night, according to the indictment, he would lynch people based on their ethnicity.
On July 18, 2007, police investigators went to the apartment he shared with his mother in Tel Aviv and brought him in for questioning. By the next day, he had already fled the country.
When I met with him eight months later, he said he did not have to work very hard to evade the authorities. The day after his questioning, he claimed, he managed to lower his military profile and was immediately released from the army. He then got on a flight to Athens.
While the Israeli authorities began to consider issuing a warrant to prevent him from leaving the country, Bogotich had already been in Moscow for some time. According to Russian law, the authorities do not extradite Russian citizens who have committed crimes in other countries. Truth be told, Israel did not even seek his extradition.
No one involved in the case in Israel knew where Bogotich was, and in practice no one bothered to look for him. When the investigative television show "Uvda" ("Fact" ) decided to try a little harder than the police, we managed to locate him fairly quickly in Moscow - free and happy.
Haaretz
Halesowen Tory suspended after racist joke gaffe (UK)
A Halesowen Conservative councillor is out in the cold after e-mailing a racist joke to every Dudley councillor.
Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Ken Turner suspended his party membership yesterday after an almighty row erupted over the joke, with even Conservative Central Office – which condemned the e-mail – entering the fray.
The offending e-mail immediately ignited a furious backlash, which forced Mr Turner to issue an apology and face investigations from Dudley Council and Tory head office.
Labour Cradley councillor Tim Crumpton, who reported Mr Turner to the authority’s standards committee, said: “With everything that’s happened over the last two years in our borough, with the English Defence League and the mosque, to have a senior councillor sending this is beyond the pale.”
The e-mail, described as “maybe the best joke of the year”, refers to a Somalian immigrant in London who asks a series of people if they are British before being told by an African lady all the British are probably “at work”.
The same joke saw two Conservative councillors in the Ribble Valley suspended after Tory chiefs said it “had no place in the Conservative Party”.
Mr Turner issued an apology describing the gag as “a mild attempt to relieve the present strife we are all enjoying”.
A member of Dudley Council said: “It’s appalling and racist. If, in 2010, a councillor sends this and thinks it is in any way funny, it shows elected representatives in a very sad light.”
Mr Turner, who is a member of the council’s information and communications technology working group, will now be quizzed by the standards committee, which has the power to sack him.
The councillors’ code of conduct says members should “promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person, and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “We are happy that the issue has been handled locally and appropriately.
“Ken Turner has apologised for the insensitivity of his e-mail and has apologised for any offence it may have caused.
“He has voluntarily suspended his membership of the Conservative Party, has referred himself to the council’s standards committee and has agreed to attend a diversity awareness course at his own expense.”
Mr Turner sent the joke on December 2. The following day he circulated another e-mail saying: “I understand that it may have offended some of our members and I would apologise unreservedly and assure you all it was intended in a simply joking manner.”
When contacted by the News, Mr Turner refused to comment further.
Halesowen News.
Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Ken Turner suspended his party membership yesterday after an almighty row erupted over the joke, with even Conservative Central Office – which condemned the e-mail – entering the fray.
The offending e-mail immediately ignited a furious backlash, which forced Mr Turner to issue an apology and face investigations from Dudley Council and Tory head office.
Labour Cradley councillor Tim Crumpton, who reported Mr Turner to the authority’s standards committee, said: “With everything that’s happened over the last two years in our borough, with the English Defence League and the mosque, to have a senior councillor sending this is beyond the pale.”
The e-mail, described as “maybe the best joke of the year”, refers to a Somalian immigrant in London who asks a series of people if they are British before being told by an African lady all the British are probably “at work”.
The same joke saw two Conservative councillors in the Ribble Valley suspended after Tory chiefs said it “had no place in the Conservative Party”.
Mr Turner issued an apology describing the gag as “a mild attempt to relieve the present strife we are all enjoying”.
A member of Dudley Council said: “It’s appalling and racist. If, in 2010, a councillor sends this and thinks it is in any way funny, it shows elected representatives in a very sad light.”
Mr Turner, who is a member of the council’s information and communications technology working group, will now be quizzed by the standards committee, which has the power to sack him.
The councillors’ code of conduct says members should “promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person, and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “We are happy that the issue has been handled locally and appropriately.
“Ken Turner has apologised for the insensitivity of his e-mail and has apologised for any offence it may have caused.
“He has voluntarily suspended his membership of the Conservative Party, has referred himself to the council’s standards committee and has agreed to attend a diversity awareness course at his own expense.”
Mr Turner sent the joke on December 2. The following day he circulated another e-mail saying: “I understand that it may have offended some of our members and I would apologise unreservedly and assure you all it was intended in a simply joking manner.”
When contacted by the News, Mr Turner refused to comment further.
Halesowen News.
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