Police are investigating a hate crime against Southport’s Muslims after a pig’s head was thrown at Southport Mosque.
The dead animal was found lying outside the mosque on the night of Wednesday July 6.
It had been thrown over the wall of the place of worship on Sussex Road.
The pig is particularly offensive to Muslims as they regard the animal as unclean. Islam bans them from eating or touching the animal.
Police confirmed they were treating the incident as a hate crime which was being investigated by their specialist SIGMA team.
A spokesman for the Sussex Road mosque told the Visiter the pig head attack was a one-off incident and they had not had any similar incident.
“In general nothing of this nature has ever happened,” he said. “It was an isolated incident.”
Detectives are now investigating and following leads from the attack.
And last night Southport’s religious leaders united to condemn the attack.
Reverend Rod Garner from Holy Trinity Church on Manchester Road said: “It is disturbing, disappointing and disgusting.
“We have to be vigilant so as to protect other religions and their faith.”
He called on religions to learn from their own history and to teach tolerance.
And Reverend Richard Vernon from the Lakeside Christian Centre on the Promenade said: “I’m saddened to hear that such a thing would take place.
“It is disheartening to think people can behave like that. I’ve never heard of anything like that before.
“Whatever people’s religious belief that kind of behaviour is to be condemned.”
Police were called at 11.10pm to Sussex Road to reports a pig’s head had been thrown over a wall into the mosque’s grounds.
The head of the dead animal was taken away for forensic examination.
But the Visiter understands the incident was not caught on CCTV.
Superintendent Kevin Johnson said: “Merseyside Police will always take robust action when investigating reports of hate crimes.
“We are following up on some positive lines of enquiry in this case and we are confident that we will catch those responsible for this highly offensive act.
“The force has a number of specialist SIGMA investigation teams, which are dedicated to investigating crimes targeted at minority and vulnerable groups.
“One such team is leading this investigation and working with the relevant religious leaders.”
Merseyside Police is appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has information, to contact 0151 777 3165, or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Southport Visitor
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Cumbria police increases number of hate crime reporting centres (UK)
From a spice shop to Carlisle Library, hate crime reporting centres have been extended across the county.
Cumbria Constabulary has extended its range of Third Party Reporting Centres to encourage victims who may not be comfortable reporting hate crime at a police station.
They now have 79 centres covering Cumbria, ranging from community centres, hospitals and health centres to housing associations, a library and HDM Spice, on Brook Street in Carlisle.
The centres offer a “safe, neutral location” for victims and witnesses, officers say.
A force spokesman said victims or witnesses could complete a form at the centre – with help if required – or take it away to complete at home. Forms can be forwarded to police, anonymously if preferred.
The full item can be read at News & Star
Cumbria Constabulary has extended its range of Third Party Reporting Centres to encourage victims who may not be comfortable reporting hate crime at a police station.
They now have 79 centres covering Cumbria, ranging from community centres, hospitals and health centres to housing associations, a library and HDM Spice, on Brook Street in Carlisle.
The centres offer a “safe, neutral location” for victims and witnesses, officers say.
A force spokesman said victims or witnesses could complete a form at the centre – with help if required – or take it away to complete at home. Forms can be forwarded to police, anonymously if preferred.
The full item can be read at News & Star
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
GERMANY'S TURKS TAKE THEIR REVENGE ON WRITER
Germany's Turkish community has taken revenge on Thilo Sarrazin, whose book denouncing Muslim immigrants as welfare-dependent under-achievers with too many children has sold 1.3 million copies.
The 66-year-old author of Germany Is Doing Away With Itself was invited by a television channel to tour Berlin's largely Turkish Kreuzberg district to speak to residents about his views, including his assertion that many Turks are only useful as greengrocers. Mr Sarrazin was mobbed, derided as a racist, and shouted at by passers-by wherever he went.
The coup de grâce was delivered by Mehmet Ozkan, manager of a renowned Turkish restaurant that Mr Sarrazin approached for a table. Mr Ozkan barred his way. "We Turks are usually very hospitable," he told him, "but I don't think I can serve you." Mr Sarrazin and the TV crew had to leave "like beaten dogs" as Mr Sarrazin put it.
The Independant
The 66-year-old author of Germany Is Doing Away With Itself was invited by a television channel to tour Berlin's largely Turkish Kreuzberg district to speak to residents about his views, including his assertion that many Turks are only useful as greengrocers. Mr Sarrazin was mobbed, derided as a racist, and shouted at by passers-by wherever he went.
The coup de grâce was delivered by Mehmet Ozkan, manager of a renowned Turkish restaurant that Mr Sarrazin approached for a table. Mr Ozkan barred his way. "We Turks are usually very hospitable," he told him, "but I don't think I can serve you." Mr Sarrazin and the TV crew had to leave "like beaten dogs" as Mr Sarrazin put it.
The Independant
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
JOBBIK CANDIDATE WINS MAYORAL ELECTION IN VILLAGE TROUBLED BY ETHNIC STRIFE (Hungary)
Oszkar Juhasz, of radical nationalist party Jobbik, on Sunday won an interim mayoral election in Gyongyospata, a village in northern Hungary where ethnic tensions have been high for months. Juhasz ran against six independent candidates. Another candidate, Janos Farkas Jr, the head of the local Roma self government, dropped out of the race late Saturday.
Over 60 percent of the village’s residents turned out for the vote which was called after Mayor Laszlo Tabi resigned in April. Tabi said he left the post for health reasons, but did not deny that clashes between radical nationalists and the village’s Roma community were a contributing factor when asked by MTI. In March, activists of the For a Better Future Civil Guard Association staged patrols for weeks in Gyongyospata in protest against what they said was a rising crime rate. The situation turned critical when the paramilitary organisation Vedero (Defence Force) organised a three-day training camp near the village’s Roma neighbourhood late in April but the police intervened.
At the same time, some 267 Roma women and children were bussed out of the village in a move that some described as an “evacuation” but the organiser, Red Cross Hungary, said was a pre-arranged camping trip.
Over 60 percent of the village’s residents turned out for the vote which was called after Mayor Laszlo Tabi resigned in April. Tabi said he left the post for health reasons, but did not deny that clashes between radical nationalists and the village’s Roma community were a contributing factor when asked by MTI. In March, activists of the For a Better Future Civil Guard Association staged patrols for weeks in Gyongyospata in protest against what they said was a rising crime rate. The situation turned critical when the paramilitary organisation Vedero (Defence Force) organised a three-day training camp near the village’s Roma neighbourhood late in April but the police intervened.
At the same time, some 267 Roma women and children were bussed out of the village in a move that some described as an “evacuation” but the organiser, Red Cross Hungary, said was a pre-arranged camping trip.
Goodbye EDL – and don’t come back (UK)
The clear message came after hundreds of EDL members snaked through the city centre on Saturday as part of a planned protest.
Organisers had promised a peaceful event and deny their campaign has racist undertones.
But there were ugly scenes at times as the event threatened to spill over into violence.
At the very start of the march police had to stand firm to stop EDL members surging forward before the official start time.
Some of the group of around 500 marchers were heard spouting vile racist abuse and making insulting references to Allah.
At one point some of the marchers paused to jeer at an Asian family who had stepped onto their balcony to see the parade pass by.
Some EDL members made a beeline for a scaffolding van in a bid to grab poles, but were thwarted by police.
And at the end of the event police averted a potential clash as marchers tried to get into Guildhall Square where anti-fascist protesters had gathered for their own rally in defence of multiculturalism.
Dozens of officers including mounted police who had been drafted in from Thames Valley managed to keep the two groups apart.
Saturday saw seven arrests of EDL supporters on suspicion of crimes ranging from public order offences to assaulting a police officer. Two ‘counter protesters’ who were among 150 people taking part in the demonstration in Guildhall Square were also arrested but released without charge at the scene, Hampshire Constabulary said.
EDL marchers travelled from all over the country to take part in the march, the first of its kind in Hampshire. Supporters came from divisions including those in West Yorkshire, Berkshire, London, Plymouth, Essex, Brighton and Colchester. Hampshire police mounted a huge operation involving around 400 officers after similar events elsewhere in the country had sparked trouble.
After the march, MP Mike Hancock said he did not ever want to see the group in Portsmouth again.
‘‘I don’t want to see them here at all,’ said the Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South. ‘I would much prefer if they came nowhere near us. But sadly they have persisted in doing it. I think they are pointless.
‘I hope they will now leave Portsmouth and not come back. What I don’t get is how people want to come all the way from Plymouth to demonstrate on the streets of Portsmouth. It must have been five or six to one people from outside the city. ‘
Mr Hancock praised the actions of the police officers who managed to contain the protest and stop EDL demonstrators clashing with the group in Guildhall Square.
He said: ‘I can’t speak highly enough of the planning. I think it’s a splendid achievement by the police. I can’t praise the police enough for what they have done.’
His views were echoed by city council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson, who was in the city centre on Saturday as he watched the protest unfold.
He said: ‘We don’t want it here. I wish they would leave Portsmouth alone.
‘On the whole people get on well between communities. They all mix up pretty well.
‘In lots of other cities there are areas where different communities live. We have a well-integrated city and that’s how we should remain.’
Terry Hall, a councillor for Eastney, who was part of the counter protest, said: ‘They have a right to protest but I don’t want them in my city.
‘They don’t represent most of the people in the city. I don’t want them here.’
People in Portsmouth’s Muslim community had largely ignored the protest, with many saying they would be staying away from the city centre and praying instead.
Abulkasim Suyeb, 42, who lives in North End, was in the city centre as the protest took place.
He said: ‘I am a Muslim but I am also a citizen of Portsmouth.
‘We are against extremists and we are peace-loving people.’
Portsmouth News
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Ex-Nazi camp guard Demjanjuk faces new probe: report
Ex-Nazi camp guard John Demjanjuk, sentenced to five years in prison for aiding the murder of nearly 30,000 Jews, now faces a new probe for another 5,000 deaths, a German newspaper said Saturday.
Prosecutors in Bavaria in southeast Germany opened a new investigation after accusations relating to his activities at a different concentration camp, Flossenbuerg, the Tagesspiegel reported.
It said two complainants are seeking to hold Demjanjuk and another former camp guard responsible for the deaths of 4,974 people at Flossenbuerg between October 1943 and December 1944.
About 100,000 people had been held at Flossenbuerg, near the Czech border, and nearby satellite camps, and more than 73,000 of them died, according to official figures.
Demjanjuk, 91, was sentenced by a Munich court in May to a five-year prison term. He had been in prison before and during his 18-month-long trial.
A judge citing his age released him until the conviction is official, which could take months in Germany, and the Bavarian government placed him in a retirement home.
He was previously expelled from the United States and deprived of his US citizenship for lying about his past to US immigration.
Ukranian-born Demjanjuk was found guilty of helping the Nazis gas some 27,900 Jews while serving as a guard at the Sobibor death camp in German-occupied Poland during World War II.
While there was no direct evidence of his presence or actions at the camp, the court said it believed he had served there as a guard, and was therefore automatically implicated in killings carried out there at the time.
Demjanjuk had denied the charges and has filed an appeal.
The prosecution, which had asked for a six-year prison sentence, has also appealed the court's decision.
Google Hosted News
Prosecutors in Bavaria in southeast Germany opened a new investigation after accusations relating to his activities at a different concentration camp, Flossenbuerg, the Tagesspiegel reported.
It said two complainants are seeking to hold Demjanjuk and another former camp guard responsible for the deaths of 4,974 people at Flossenbuerg between October 1943 and December 1944.
About 100,000 people had been held at Flossenbuerg, near the Czech border, and nearby satellite camps, and more than 73,000 of them died, according to official figures.
Demjanjuk, 91, was sentenced by a Munich court in May to a five-year prison term. He had been in prison before and during his 18-month-long trial.
A judge citing his age released him until the conviction is official, which could take months in Germany, and the Bavarian government placed him in a retirement home.
He was previously expelled from the United States and deprived of his US citizenship for lying about his past to US immigration.
Ukranian-born Demjanjuk was found guilty of helping the Nazis gas some 27,900 Jews while serving as a guard at the Sobibor death camp in German-occupied Poland during World War II.
While there was no direct evidence of his presence or actions at the camp, the court said it believed he had served there as a guard, and was therefore automatically implicated in killings carried out there at the time.
Demjanjuk had denied the charges and has filed an appeal.
The prosecution, which had asked for a six-year prison sentence, has also appealed the court's decision.
Google Hosted News
Blinded Muslim pleads to save his attacker's life
A Muslim who was shot and blinded by a white supremacist days after the 9/11 attacks is suing the governor of Texas to prevent his assailant from being executed.
Rais Bhuiyan says his rights as a victim were ignored when his attacker, Mark Stroman, was sentenced to death after a shooting spree at a Dallas convenience store that left two of his colleagues dead. Stroman, who claims he went on the rampage "against Arabs" in revenge for the death of his half-sister on September 11, 2001, is due to be executed on Wednesday after his final appeal was denied.
Mr Bhuiyan contends state prosecutors "pushed forward with the death penalty" without consulting him or the families of the other victims as required under the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.
In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Mr Bhuiyan's lawyers said their client was seeking reconciliation with Stroman "because his parents raised him with the religious principle that he is best who can forgive easily. As a Muslim, plaintiff is of the belief that when he forgives or promotes mercy for his attacker, the government should no longer have a duty or a right to exact the ultimate punishment upon Mr Stroman".
Mr Bhuiyan says that neither he nor the families of the other victims, Waqar Hasan and Vasudev Patel, were informed of their rights under the legislation that Governor Rick Perry championed as a guarantee of justice for the victims of crime.
"Along with families of the other victims in the case, I have been ignored and sidelined, year after year," Mr Bhuiyan said yesterday. "If Governor Perry really means it when he says victims' rights are a priority, we need action rather than hollow words."
Mr Perry, who is expected to announce his presidential bid within weeks, has signed off 232 executions -- more than any other governor in American history. His victims' rights legislation was seen by opponents of the death penalty as an attempt to justify such sentences as providing solace to families of the murdered.
But the Governor reckoned without the mercy of Mr Bhuiyan.
Stroman, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, said he wanted to kill "foreigners" because they threatened "the American way of life". He admitted shooting the three men of South Asian origin, two of whom were Muslims and one a Hindu.
"I am a human being and made a terrible mistake out of love, grief and anger . . . believe me, I am paying for it every single minute of the day," Stroman said on a website supporting his plea for clemency.
The Australian
Rais Bhuiyan says his rights as a victim were ignored when his attacker, Mark Stroman, was sentenced to death after a shooting spree at a Dallas convenience store that left two of his colleagues dead. Stroman, who claims he went on the rampage "against Arabs" in revenge for the death of his half-sister on September 11, 2001, is due to be executed on Wednesday after his final appeal was denied.
Mr Bhuiyan contends state prosecutors "pushed forward with the death penalty" without consulting him or the families of the other victims as required under the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.
In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Mr Bhuiyan's lawyers said their client was seeking reconciliation with Stroman "because his parents raised him with the religious principle that he is best who can forgive easily. As a Muslim, plaintiff is of the belief that when he forgives or promotes mercy for his attacker, the government should no longer have a duty or a right to exact the ultimate punishment upon Mr Stroman".
Mr Bhuiyan says that neither he nor the families of the other victims, Waqar Hasan and Vasudev Patel, were informed of their rights under the legislation that Governor Rick Perry championed as a guarantee of justice for the victims of crime.
"Along with families of the other victims in the case, I have been ignored and sidelined, year after year," Mr Bhuiyan said yesterday. "If Governor Perry really means it when he says victims' rights are a priority, we need action rather than hollow words."
Mr Perry, who is expected to announce his presidential bid within weeks, has signed off 232 executions -- more than any other governor in American history. His victims' rights legislation was seen by opponents of the death penalty as an attempt to justify such sentences as providing solace to families of the murdered.
But the Governor reckoned without the mercy of Mr Bhuiyan.
Stroman, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, said he wanted to kill "foreigners" because they threatened "the American way of life". He admitted shooting the three men of South Asian origin, two of whom were Muslims and one a Hindu.
"I am a human being and made a terrible mistake out of love, grief and anger . . . believe me, I am paying for it every single minute of the day," Stroman said on a website supporting his plea for clemency.
The Australian
Portsmouth EDL march and counter-protests see seven arrests (UK)
Seven people have been arrested at a protest by the English Defence League (EDL) in Portsmouth.
About 500 EDL demonstrators marched through the city while 200 counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) gathered in Guildhall Square.
Up to 400 police, including mounted officers and dog handlers, worked to keep the groups apart during the protests which began about 1300 BST.
EDL supporters tried to enter the square but were stopped by police.
Hampshire police said: "All protesters are now dispersing in Portsmouth and despite some disturbances around Guildhall Walk earlier, police have worked well to keep the groups apart and ensure both protests could happen somewhat peacefully.
"A total of seven arrests have been made and officers are still on patrol across the city."
BBC News
About 500 EDL demonstrators marched through the city while 200 counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) gathered in Guildhall Square.
Up to 400 police, including mounted officers and dog handlers, worked to keep the groups apart during the protests which began about 1300 BST.
EDL supporters tried to enter the square but were stopped by police.
Hampshire police said: "All protesters are now dispersing in Portsmouth and despite some disturbances around Guildhall Walk earlier, police have worked well to keep the groups apart and ensure both protests could happen somewhat peacefully.
"A total of seven arrests have been made and officers are still on patrol across the city."
BBC News
EDL man will do community order alone (UK)
An English Defence League supporter who clashed with Asian men after a protest march cannot carry out his community work as part of a multi-ethnic group, a court heard.
Nathan Hopkins appeared before magistrates in Huntingdon when he was accused of being part of a group of English Defence League (EDL) members who got embroiled in a fight outside the Queen Anne Terrace car park, Cambridge, after a march through the city last Saturday.
One of the Asians was punched in the head repeatedly during the fracas by Hopkins, prosecutor Laura Mardell told the court.
The 18-year-old, of Lombardy Drive, Peterborough, admitted using threatening behaviour and was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.
Magistrates requested a report on whether Hopkins would be suitable for community work and the court probation officer said that although he was suitable, the nature of the offence meant he could not take part in the multi-cultural work teams and would have to go on an individual placement.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins told police he had gone to Cambridge with a group of 20 other EDL supporters and he had been a member of the EDL since December 2010, “joining after believing too many extremists were coming into the country”.
Two other EDL supporters also appeared before magistrates charged with public order offences.
Simon Pearson, 28, of Whitehill Road, Abbey, Cambridge, denied using threatening words and behaviour in the area of Christ’s Pieces and his case was adjourned to August 31.
Shaun Hughes, 48, of Wethersfield Road, Colchester, was accused of using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
His solicitor, Peter Vialls, told the court that Hughes had “serious mental health issues” and that he would be contacting prosecutors to see if the case could be dealt with in another way.
Hughes was released on bail until August 18 with conditions that he does not attend any EDL rallies or enter Cambridgeshire apart from for court appearances.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins’ case arose when a group of around 10 EDL supporters clashed with a group of Asian men in the Parkside area.
A fight started and police saw Hopkins punching an Asian man in the head three or four times.
Mr Vialls, for Hopkins, said: “The defendant is just 18 and has not been involved in anything like this before.
“He expected to take part in a demonstration and had not intended to do anything unlawful or take part in any violence.”
Mr Vialls said Hopkins blamed the Muslim Defence League for starting abuse. He then became involved in the fight to defend a young friend and regretted what had happened.
Cambridge News
Nathan Hopkins appeared before magistrates in Huntingdon when he was accused of being part of a group of English Defence League (EDL) members who got embroiled in a fight outside the Queen Anne Terrace car park, Cambridge, after a march through the city last Saturday.
One of the Asians was punched in the head repeatedly during the fracas by Hopkins, prosecutor Laura Mardell told the court.
The 18-year-old, of Lombardy Drive, Peterborough, admitted using threatening behaviour and was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.
Magistrates requested a report on whether Hopkins would be suitable for community work and the court probation officer said that although he was suitable, the nature of the offence meant he could not take part in the multi-cultural work teams and would have to go on an individual placement.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins told police he had gone to Cambridge with a group of 20 other EDL supporters and he had been a member of the EDL since December 2010, “joining after believing too many extremists were coming into the country”.
Two other EDL supporters also appeared before magistrates charged with public order offences.
Simon Pearson, 28, of Whitehill Road, Abbey, Cambridge, denied using threatening words and behaviour in the area of Christ’s Pieces and his case was adjourned to August 31.
Shaun Hughes, 48, of Wethersfield Road, Colchester, was accused of using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
His solicitor, Peter Vialls, told the court that Hughes had “serious mental health issues” and that he would be contacting prosecutors to see if the case could be dealt with in another way.
Hughes was released on bail until August 18 with conditions that he does not attend any EDL rallies or enter Cambridgeshire apart from for court appearances.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins’ case arose when a group of around 10 EDL supporters clashed with a group of Asian men in the Parkside area.
A fight started and police saw Hopkins punching an Asian man in the head three or four times.
Mr Vialls, for Hopkins, said: “The defendant is just 18 and has not been involved in anything like this before.
“He expected to take part in a demonstration and had not intended to do anything unlawful or take part in any violence.”
Mr Vialls said Hopkins blamed the Muslim Defence League for starting abuse. He then became involved in the fight to defend a young friend and regretted what had happened.
Cambridge News
Friday, 15 July 2011
Feds: 'Nazi Jihadist' Solicited Extremists To Attack Daycare Centers (USA)
Federal prosecutors have charged Emerson Begolly, the Nazi uniform wearing Pennsylvania man being held for allegedly biting an FBI agent who tried to question him about his activity on jihadist websites, with inciting violent attacks in the United States.
An indictment announced on Thursday by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia charges that Begolly used an extremist web forum to solicited others to engage in acts of terrorism and disseminated instructions for making different kinds of explosives that could be used in terrorist attacks.
Begolly allegedly suggested attacks on "civilian planes, financial institutions, military installations, Jewish schools, and daycare centers," according to the indictment.
While transcripts of some of Begolly's alleged writings had been filed in federal court in Pennsylvania when prosecutors were convincing a judge not to release him on bail, the new indictment marked the first time he was charged directly with a terrorism-related charge.
According to the writings, Begolly blamed a pedophile minister on his hatred of America and joked that someone at the FBI must have been "drunk" when he was allowed to buy an AK-47.
The new indictment quotes a post allegedly written by Begolly in which he brags about how easy it was for him to get a weapon even though he was on the terrorist watch list.
"Dear brothers and sisters, I have solid PROOF that one can legally purchase a firearm in America even if this person IS on the 'terror watch' list, just so long as they are not a convicted felon and are a US citizen over 18!" he allegedly wrote on Nov. 24, 2010. "My advice: As long as you still can, take advantage of this and MOVE... MOVE... MOVE...!!"
Begolly was first arrested in a Burger King parking lot after he allegedly reached for a gun in his pocket and bit two FBI agents questioning him about his online habits.
His lawyers and members of his family have said he has Asperger's syndrome, a disorder in the autism spectrum characterized by difficulties with social interaction. Begolly's mother told FBI agents he had been off his medication for two years, according to an FBI agent's testimony earlier this year.
TPM
An indictment announced on Thursday by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia charges that Begolly used an extremist web forum to solicited others to engage in acts of terrorism and disseminated instructions for making different kinds of explosives that could be used in terrorist attacks.
Begolly allegedly suggested attacks on "civilian planes, financial institutions, military installations, Jewish schools, and daycare centers," according to the indictment.
While transcripts of some of Begolly's alleged writings had been filed in federal court in Pennsylvania when prosecutors were convincing a judge not to release him on bail, the new indictment marked the first time he was charged directly with a terrorism-related charge.
According to the writings, Begolly blamed a pedophile minister on his hatred of America and joked that someone at the FBI must have been "drunk" when he was allowed to buy an AK-47.
The new indictment quotes a post allegedly written by Begolly in which he brags about how easy it was for him to get a weapon even though he was on the terrorist watch list.
"Dear brothers and sisters, I have solid PROOF that one can legally purchase a firearm in America even if this person IS on the 'terror watch' list, just so long as they are not a convicted felon and are a US citizen over 18!" he allegedly wrote on Nov. 24, 2010. "My advice: As long as you still can, take advantage of this and MOVE... MOVE... MOVE...!!"
Begolly was first arrested in a Burger King parking lot after he allegedly reached for a gun in his pocket and bit two FBI agents questioning him about his online habits.
His lawyers and members of his family have said he has Asperger's syndrome, a disorder in the autism spectrum characterized by difficulties with social interaction. Begolly's mother told FBI agents he had been off his medication for two years, according to an FBI agent's testimony earlier this year.
TPM
Ex-prisoner asks taxpayers to fund 'skinhead' tattoo removal (New Zeland)
Carl Nathaniel Drewett, 28, who first adopted white supremacist beliefs at age 13, says he cannot afford the $2500 removal treatment but will contribute what he can.
Drewett got the tattoo, which takes up most of his forehead, while in prison five years ago. He now regrets his decision.
“I didn’t really take into consideration how the community was going to look at me when I got out. That was irrelevant, that wasn’t my life, prison was my life,” he told the New Zealand Herald.
Drewett has an extensive criminal record and was convicted last Friday at Rangiora District Court on a charge of intentionally injuring a man and two charges of drunk driving causing injury.
He will serve one year on home detention and has been disqualified from driving for a year and a day.
He says he no longer identifies with white supremacy and plans to study business while on home detention.
“Once this tattoo is off, many doors will open. I won’t be judged as some dodgy loser criminal. In terms of employment it would help a lot,” he told the NZ Herald.
3 News
Russian Neo-Nazi Firebomb Synagogue(Russia)
Neo-Nazis firebombed a synagogue near Moscow Tuesday less than 24 hours after members of the banned group were sentenced to jail. No one was hurt in the midnight firebombing of the Darchei Shalom synagogue, whose walls sustained damage. Police believe the attack was an anti-Semitic response to the sentencing of members of the banned neo-Nazi National-Socialist Society, the European Jewish Press reported. A Russian court sentenced members to prison terms of up to 10 years for 27 hate killings, attempted murders and a plot to blow up a electricity power plant. The defendants entered the court while yelling out anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi chants. Russia’s chief rabbi Adolf Shaevich responded to the attack, “We have a paradox now. There are many more believers in the country than before, but the spiritual and moral climate has not improved in any way. It is very sad when young people do such things.
There could have been people inside, there might have been victims.” Two teenagers are suspected of having attacked the synagogue. The Federation of Russia’s Jewish Communities called on law enforcement bodies to view the incident not simply as hooliganism but as an attempt to ignite inter-ethnic hatred. “Such incidents make it clear that crimes committed on national or religious grounds are propaganda in action.
We are concerned by the fact that the Moscow authorities qualify such acts as hooliganism,” claims the organization’s statement as quoted by RIA Novosti. “In any case, it is an act looking to provoke religious hatred. The aim of such acts is to intimidate people, to weaken the eagerness of society to fight nationalism and extremism.”
Israel national news
There could have been people inside, there might have been victims.” Two teenagers are suspected of having attacked the synagogue. The Federation of Russia’s Jewish Communities called on law enforcement bodies to view the incident not simply as hooliganism but as an attempt to ignite inter-ethnic hatred. “Such incidents make it clear that crimes committed on national or religious grounds are propaganda in action.
We are concerned by the fact that the Moscow authorities qualify such acts as hooliganism,” claims the organization’s statement as quoted by RIA Novosti. “In any case, it is an act looking to provoke religious hatred. The aim of such acts is to intimidate people, to weaken the eagerness of society to fight nationalism and extremism.”
Israel national news
EDL and Asians brawled on Blackburn football pitches (UK)
Police were drafted in after an English Defence League football match was organised on a pitch normally used by Asian youths.
Blackburn magistrates heard shortly after the EDL game, involving 20 to 25 white males, started, about 30 Asian males arrived at the concrete pitches in Queens Park.
The two groups were playing on adjoining pitches but tempers flared and words were exchanged when the ball from the Asian game went over to the other side.
Nicholas John Smyth, 26, of Sherwood Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using racially-aggravated threatening behaviour.
He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs.
Joanne Close, prosecuting, said during the football matches there was an altercation between Smyth and one of the Asian men.
When the EDL game finished, they congregated near the fence separating the two pitches and Smyth started shouting at the Asian male to “come and sort it out”.
Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Smyth had gone to play football with a few friends.
He realised there were members of the EDL there, although he was not a member of the organisation.
Mr Taylor said when the Asian males arrived they tried to take over both pitches, which led to tension.
“It seems that normally this area is exclusively used by Asians,” said Mr Taylor.
“Words were exchanged when the Asian males tried to get on the pitch where the white males were playing.
“My client heard racist comments coming from the Asian males and he accepts that he responded.
“He says he can’t understand why the police officers seemed unable to hear the comments coming from the other side.”
Blackburn citizen
Blackburn magistrates heard shortly after the EDL game, involving 20 to 25 white males, started, about 30 Asian males arrived at the concrete pitches in Queens Park.
The two groups were playing on adjoining pitches but tempers flared and words were exchanged when the ball from the Asian game went over to the other side.
Nicholas John Smyth, 26, of Sherwood Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using racially-aggravated threatening behaviour.
He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs.
Joanne Close, prosecuting, said during the football matches there was an altercation between Smyth and one of the Asian men.
When the EDL game finished, they congregated near the fence separating the two pitches and Smyth started shouting at the Asian male to “come and sort it out”.
Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Smyth had gone to play football with a few friends.
He realised there were members of the EDL there, although he was not a member of the organisation.
Mr Taylor said when the Asian males arrived they tried to take over both pitches, which led to tension.
“It seems that normally this area is exclusively used by Asians,” said Mr Taylor.
“Words were exchanged when the Asian males tried to get on the pitch where the white males were playing.
“My client heard racist comments coming from the Asian males and he accepts that he responded.
“He says he can’t understand why the police officers seemed unable to hear the comments coming from the other side.”
Blackburn citizen
Police Increase Presence in Portsmouth as the English Defence League Plans Demonstration (UK)
Police from across the two counties will be in Portsmouth this weekend to help facilitate peaceful protest by members of the English Defence League.
Officers will be on duty in the city centre on the morning of the event on the 16th July to minimise disruption to the community and shoppers.
Superintendent Rick Burrows said: "Those still coming into Portsmouth should be aware that there will be more police around than usual to ensure peace is kept throughout the day, and whilst there will be traffic congestion, we will work to minimise the impact on your day.
"Edinburgh Road will be closed from 10am until about 3pm and the main traffic congestion will occur around this area, the Guildhall Square and Gunwharf Quays area between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
"It is also worth bearing in mind that Portsmouth are playing Chelsea at home from 3pm and this will increase the chances of traffic congestion around the routes to Fratton Park.
"We are continuing to engage with all parties involved in this protest event, and we have planned extensively to have the appropriate resources on duty throughout the day to ensure that any protest does not have an adverse impact on local communities.
"Our message to those planning on coming to Portsmouth to protest is that you will be welcomed; we will facilitate your lawful protest, but we have to bear in mind the interest and needs of the wider community and, in doing so, we may ask you to abide by certain conditions.
"We expect all people taking part in the protest to do so peacefully and legitimately, but anyone intent on coming to engage in a confrontation or disorder will be robustly dealt with. "We will be looking to protesters to self-police, and to work with us to ensure this protest is peaceful.
"We are grateful to Portsmouth City Council for its continued support and involvement, and look forward to a safe event that leaves no negative legacy for the communities of Portsmouth."
Any member of the local community with concerns or intelligence about this event is invited to contact Inspector Greg Moore by dialling 101, or via e-mail at: Gregory.moore@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
The very latest information for media and the public will be available via the constabulary's Twitter account, follow @HantsPolice, and on the force website special events page: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/EDL_Demonstration.htm
Aboutmyarea.co.uk
Officers will be on duty in the city centre on the morning of the event on the 16th July to minimise disruption to the community and shoppers.
Superintendent Rick Burrows said: "Those still coming into Portsmouth should be aware that there will be more police around than usual to ensure peace is kept throughout the day, and whilst there will be traffic congestion, we will work to minimise the impact on your day.
"Edinburgh Road will be closed from 10am until about 3pm and the main traffic congestion will occur around this area, the Guildhall Square and Gunwharf Quays area between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
"It is also worth bearing in mind that Portsmouth are playing Chelsea at home from 3pm and this will increase the chances of traffic congestion around the routes to Fratton Park.
"We are continuing to engage with all parties involved in this protest event, and we have planned extensively to have the appropriate resources on duty throughout the day to ensure that any protest does not have an adverse impact on local communities.
"Our message to those planning on coming to Portsmouth to protest is that you will be welcomed; we will facilitate your lawful protest, but we have to bear in mind the interest and needs of the wider community and, in doing so, we may ask you to abide by certain conditions.
"We expect all people taking part in the protest to do so peacefully and legitimately, but anyone intent on coming to engage in a confrontation or disorder will be robustly dealt with. "We will be looking to protesters to self-police, and to work with us to ensure this protest is peaceful.
"We are grateful to Portsmouth City Council for its continued support and involvement, and look forward to a safe event that leaves no negative legacy for the communities of Portsmouth."
Any member of the local community with concerns or intelligence about this event is invited to contact Inspector Greg Moore by dialling 101, or via e-mail at: Gregory.moore@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
The very latest information for media and the public will be available via the constabulary's Twitter account, follow @HantsPolice, and on the force website special events page: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/EDL_Demonstration.htm
Aboutmyarea.co.uk
Teachers must 'uphold British values' to work in schools (UK)
Teachers face being barred from the classroom for failing to uphold “British values” and proper discipline under rigorous new professional standards for schools.
For the first time, staff are told they could be struck off for showing intolerance towards pupils with other faiths and beliefs.
Teachers in England are warned against staging lessons that undermine “fundamental” values such as the rule of law, democracy and individual liberty.
The move is designed to make it easier for heads to sack teachers who are members of the British National Party or those with extremist Islamic beliefs.
It follows comments from Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, that membership of far-right groups was incompatible with the duty to “shape young minds”.
Under new guidelines, staff will also be told to take responsibility for promoting “good and courteous behaviour” among children in lessons and around the school.
In a further move, the standards – being introduced in 2012 – place a renewed emphasis on teachers’ subject knowledge, suggesting staff should uphold high standards of “literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English” at all times.
It represents an attempt to establish clear boundaries for staff in all state schools and weed out poor teachers failing to achieve basic skill-levels.
The slimmed-down rules focus on just eight key areas of teaching – and one section focusing on personal and professional conduct – as opposed to more than 100 separate standards introduced by Labour.
Mr Gove insisted the previous system placed a premium on “bland statements and platitudes”, covering areas such as communicating with colleagues, promoting wellbeing and establishing a safe learning environment.
The new standards will have “real teeth”, he said, adding: “They set clear expectations about the skills that every teacher in our schools should demonstrate. They will make a significant improvement to teaching by ensuring teachers can focus on the skills that matter most.”
Just 1.5 per cent of student teachers fail to satisfy the current standards during training and fewer than 20 teachers have been struck off in the last decade for incompetence.
New standards – covering just four pages – set out the key skills that each trainee must satisfy to win qualified teacher status and then remain in the classroom.
As part of the new guidelines, staff must set high expectations of pupils, demonstrate good subject knowledge, plan and teach well-structured lessons, promote good progress among pupils, adapt their teaching to children’s different needs, make good use of assessment, manage behaviour and fulfil their wider responsibilities to school life.
Under behaviour, teachers are told to establish “clear rules and routines” and promote “good and courteous” manners among pupils. The section on subject knowledge says staff must have decent standards of written English – whatever the teacher’s subject specialism.
Beyond teaching, the guidance says staff "must not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".
It comes after a teacher and BNP member was cleared of religious intolerance last year by the General Teaching Council - the profession's regulatory body - despite using a school laptop to describe some immigrants as "filth" on a website.
The National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the document, saying the standards were “clear, concise and relevant”.
But Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said the rules underline “the punitive mind set this Coalition has towards teachers”.
“The new standards are vague, poorly drafted, lack clarity, are open to wide interpretation, will breed confusion and uncertainty and will simply serve as a stick with which to beat teachers,” she said.
Telegraph
For the first time, staff are told they could be struck off for showing intolerance towards pupils with other faiths and beliefs.
Teachers in England are warned against staging lessons that undermine “fundamental” values such as the rule of law, democracy and individual liberty.
The move is designed to make it easier for heads to sack teachers who are members of the British National Party or those with extremist Islamic beliefs.
It follows comments from Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, that membership of far-right groups was incompatible with the duty to “shape young minds”.
Under new guidelines, staff will also be told to take responsibility for promoting “good and courteous behaviour” among children in lessons and around the school.
In a further move, the standards – being introduced in 2012 – place a renewed emphasis on teachers’ subject knowledge, suggesting staff should uphold high standards of “literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English” at all times.
It represents an attempt to establish clear boundaries for staff in all state schools and weed out poor teachers failing to achieve basic skill-levels.
The slimmed-down rules focus on just eight key areas of teaching – and one section focusing on personal and professional conduct – as opposed to more than 100 separate standards introduced by Labour.
Mr Gove insisted the previous system placed a premium on “bland statements and platitudes”, covering areas such as communicating with colleagues, promoting wellbeing and establishing a safe learning environment.
The new standards will have “real teeth”, he said, adding: “They set clear expectations about the skills that every teacher in our schools should demonstrate. They will make a significant improvement to teaching by ensuring teachers can focus on the skills that matter most.”
Just 1.5 per cent of student teachers fail to satisfy the current standards during training and fewer than 20 teachers have been struck off in the last decade for incompetence.
New standards – covering just four pages – set out the key skills that each trainee must satisfy to win qualified teacher status and then remain in the classroom.
As part of the new guidelines, staff must set high expectations of pupils, demonstrate good subject knowledge, plan and teach well-structured lessons, promote good progress among pupils, adapt their teaching to children’s different needs, make good use of assessment, manage behaviour and fulfil their wider responsibilities to school life.
Under behaviour, teachers are told to establish “clear rules and routines” and promote “good and courteous” manners among pupils. The section on subject knowledge says staff must have decent standards of written English – whatever the teacher’s subject specialism.
Beyond teaching, the guidance says staff "must not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".
It comes after a teacher and BNP member was cleared of religious intolerance last year by the General Teaching Council - the profession's regulatory body - despite using a school laptop to describe some immigrants as "filth" on a website.
The National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the document, saying the standards were “clear, concise and relevant”.
But Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said the rules underline “the punitive mind set this Coalition has towards teachers”.
“The new standards are vague, poorly drafted, lack clarity, are open to wide interpretation, will breed confusion and uncertainty and will simply serve as a stick with which to beat teachers,” she said.
Telegraph
BNP urges nationalist 'fight' on Twitter (UK)
The British National Party has encouraged its members to use social media outlets like Twitter to promote its messages, leading to concern from anti-extremist campaigners.
In a newsletter entitled Adam's Operation Fightback, the BNP said supporters should not be afraid to use hashtags like #nationalist and #BNP when talking about news issues, and that they should "jump on trending topics and turn them into a nationalist discussion".
The party urged followers to get their friends "involved in the fight for our people" by sharing links to articles and campaigns, and asking others to "take action and retweet".
The newsletter said Twitter could be used every day to keep people "updated on the latest campaign to win our country back".
And on Facebook it recommended that members should post a pro-nationalist quote to inspire friends to take action.
Reacting, a spokesman for anti-extremist campaign group Searchlight told Publicservice.co.uk that the BNP and extremist groups had used social media for sometime, something which did raise concerns.
But he added that social media was a valuable intelligence tool for monitoring political extremism, and that comments on sites like Twitter could "help to highlight the true face of the BNP".
Public Service UK
In a newsletter entitled Adam's Operation Fightback, the BNP said supporters should not be afraid to use hashtags like #nationalist and #BNP when talking about news issues, and that they should "jump on trending topics and turn them into a nationalist discussion".
The party urged followers to get their friends "involved in the fight for our people" by sharing links to articles and campaigns, and asking others to "take action and retweet".
The newsletter said Twitter could be used every day to keep people "updated on the latest campaign to win our country back".
And on Facebook it recommended that members should post a pro-nationalist quote to inspire friends to take action.
Reacting, a spokesman for anti-extremist campaign group Searchlight told Publicservice.co.uk that the BNP and extremist groups had used social media for sometime, something which did raise concerns.
But he added that social media was a valuable intelligence tool for monitoring political extremism, and that comments on sites like Twitter could "help to highlight the true face of the BNP".
Public Service UK
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Social media game aims to end extremism
The man behind the project, Suleiman Bakhit, hopes that Happy Oasis can create positive role models for children who might otherwise be enticed by extremist views.
The game launched this week and has already attracted 50,000 followers.
Newly appointed TED fellow Mr Bakhit spoke about his project at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh.
Mr Bakhit, who comes from Jordan, was a student at the US University of Minnesota when the 9/11 attacks took place. Shortly afterwards he was attacked by four men because he was an Arab.
Magic carpet
Instead of feeling bitter, Mr Bakhit decided to engage in an education campaign.
"I realised that you fight extremism by starting with the young. The message was simple - 'We are not all terrorists'," he told the BBC.
Armed with a not-so-magic carpet, he began telling Aladdin-style stories in local schools.
"One day a child asked me if there was an Arab superman and I realised that there wasn't," he said.
So began his comic-book project which aimed to create a range of positive Arab role-models, including a female James Bond and a Jordanian special agent who fights extremists.
In Jordan, Mr Bakhit has sold 300,000 copies of his comics and came to realise that there was a market for a web-based version.
"Print media is dying but there are 30 million Arabs on Facebook so I thought about making social games with the same message," he said.
Mr Bakhit wanted to make sure that his characters related to the children he was aiming to reach.
"I took a peer-to-peer approach, engaging kids to get their ideas," he said.
He was undecided about whether to include a character dressed in a burka until he showed the animated character to a focus group.
"They loved the idea so she was in," he said.
The first game featured special agent Element O and while it was, in Mr Bakhit's words "not very good", it did show him the potential of such a project.
"Fans were discussing the games in the forums and arguing about politics. I went on as Element O and the arguments immediately stopped," he said.
Mr Bakhit said he now hopes to take his comic book model to Pakistan, where extremism is a growing problem.
BBC News
Stepmom in Calif. neo-Nazi case pleads not guilty (USA)
The stepmother of a 10-year-old California boy charged with murdering his white supremacist father has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment.
Krista McCary also pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Superior Court to four charges of criminal storage of a gun. She was charged after her neo-Nazi husband Jeff Hall was shot to death in their home on May 1.
Authorities say the eldest of Hall's five children took his parents' gun off a shelf and shot his father in the ear while he was sleeping.
Hall was a regional leader of the National Socialist Movement who led rallies at a day labor site and synagogue.
McCary's public defender, Judith Gweon, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Forbes
Krista McCary also pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Superior Court to four charges of criminal storage of a gun. She was charged after her neo-Nazi husband Jeff Hall was shot to death in their home on May 1.
Authorities say the eldest of Hall's five children took his parents' gun off a shelf and shot his father in the ear while he was sleeping.
Hall was a regional leader of the National Socialist Movement who led rallies at a day labor site and synagogue.
McCary's public defender, Judith Gweon, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Forbes
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Did you snap the EDL demo? Plea by police for your pictures (UK)
Police are asking the public for their pictures and video of violence that erupted when the English Defence League descended on Halifax at the weekend.
Divisional commander for Calderdale Chief Superintendent Chris Hardern says they are investigating a clash between some of the far-right group and counter-demonstrators at King Cross and the break-out of EDL members from the Eureka car park.
He urged residents who saw what happened, have footage or photographs, or who witnessed any other trouble, to get in touch.
Calderdale councillor Faisal Shoukat (Lab, Park) says he was assaulted after EDL supporters turned up at the counter-demonstration .
He said he was speaking to organisers of the counter-protest as they were setting up when EDL supporters turned up and started damaging the gazebo and speakers.
“They started shouting racist abuse and opening up a banner with racist remarks on it and they chanted ‘‘EDL’.” he said.
He suffered bruising to the back of his head and kidney area.
He said one of the EDL members was filming the incident.
Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of assault against a man during the King Cross disturbance.
The EDL had been told they could hold their protest in the Eureka car park, and the museum shut for the day because of the demonstration, but some of the group came intent on marching on the town’s streets.
Coaches are believed to have let some off in Sowerby Bridge, from where some marched into Halifax and others took buses into King Cross and the park opposite the William IV pub where the counter-demo was planned.
Police marched the protesters into the Eureka car park where the mob hurled glass bottles at police, shouted anti-Islamic chants and “Let’s go mental” before breaking fencing to get out of the car park and onto the Eureka grounds.
Officers donned riot gear and escorted the EDL supporters to coaches and the rail station and out of Halifax.
Chf Supt Hardern repeated the force’s thanks to members of the public for supporting officers’ efforts to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We want to thank the communities of Halifax and the rest of Calderdale for their patience, tolerance and understanding,” he said.
He added his thanks to officers for the courage they showed on Saturday, especially the ones who had to deal with the ones who broke out of the car park.
And he wants to thank partner agencies who police have been working with in the lead up to the event.
Anyone who can help the police should call 0845 6060606 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Halifax Courier
Divisional commander for Calderdale Chief Superintendent Chris Hardern says they are investigating a clash between some of the far-right group and counter-demonstrators at King Cross and the break-out of EDL members from the Eureka car park.
He urged residents who saw what happened, have footage or photographs, or who witnessed any other trouble, to get in touch.
Calderdale councillor Faisal Shoukat (Lab, Park) says he was assaulted after EDL supporters turned up at the counter-demonstration .
He said he was speaking to organisers of the counter-protest as they were setting up when EDL supporters turned up and started damaging the gazebo and speakers.
“They started shouting racist abuse and opening up a banner with racist remarks on it and they chanted ‘‘EDL’.” he said.
He suffered bruising to the back of his head and kidney area.
He said one of the EDL members was filming the incident.
Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of assault against a man during the King Cross disturbance.
The EDL had been told they could hold their protest in the Eureka car park, and the museum shut for the day because of the demonstration, but some of the group came intent on marching on the town’s streets.
Coaches are believed to have let some off in Sowerby Bridge, from where some marched into Halifax and others took buses into King Cross and the park opposite the William IV pub where the counter-demo was planned.
Police marched the protesters into the Eureka car park where the mob hurled glass bottles at police, shouted anti-Islamic chants and “Let’s go mental” before breaking fencing to get out of the car park and onto the Eureka grounds.
Officers donned riot gear and escorted the EDL supporters to coaches and the rail station and out of Halifax.
Chf Supt Hardern repeated the force’s thanks to members of the public for supporting officers’ efforts to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We want to thank the communities of Halifax and the rest of Calderdale for their patience, tolerance and understanding,” he said.
He added his thanks to officers for the courage they showed on Saturday, especially the ones who had to deal with the ones who broke out of the car park.
And he wants to thank partner agencies who police have been working with in the lead up to the event.
Anyone who can help the police should call 0845 6060606 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Halifax Courier
Russian nationalists given life for 27 racist murders
The ringleader was among the five men given life sentences for the 2007-08 killing spree in and around Moscow, which targeted people from Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus and from ex-Soviet Central Asia.
Standing in a glass box, the group shared jokes and attempted Nazi salutes in handcuffs before their sentencing in the Moscow Military District Court, state TV showed.
Eight members of the gang, including one young woman, were given terms of between eight and 25 years behind bars, Russian media reported.
Neo-nationalist groups have been increasing in number in Russia, and violent clashes in the capital between Muslims and ethnic Slavs have raised concerns authorities will be unable to keep order ahead of March 2012 elections.
Over the last two years, a judge and a lawyer who fought against neo-nationalists, Eduard Chuvashov and Stanislav Markelov, were shot and killed in attacks officials connected to their work.
Rights workers say the Russian government's lenient attitude to the far right allows racism to flourish in Russia, which is home to some 20 million Muslims, a seventh of the population.
Many migrants from the impoverished North Caucasus, where an Islamist insurgency is raging, come to the Russian heartland for menial work. They say they are often treated with suspicion by ethnic Russians and many face racism.
Those convicted on Monday belong to the far-right Nationalist Socialist Society, which was outlawed in February and whose logo is a red and black stylised swastika.
The group's leader Lev Molotkov pleaded not guilty, and the defence plans to appeal against the length of the sentences, Russian media reported.
After being convicted, some of the nationalists shouted: "Our conscience is above your laws, we'll be back!" Interfax news agency reported.
They were also found guilty of attempted terrorism, creating and participating in extremism and inciting racial hatred.
Reuters
Standing in a glass box, the group shared jokes and attempted Nazi salutes in handcuffs before their sentencing in the Moscow Military District Court, state TV showed.
Eight members of the gang, including one young woman, were given terms of between eight and 25 years behind bars, Russian media reported.
Neo-nationalist groups have been increasing in number in Russia, and violent clashes in the capital between Muslims and ethnic Slavs have raised concerns authorities will be unable to keep order ahead of March 2012 elections.
Over the last two years, a judge and a lawyer who fought against neo-nationalists, Eduard Chuvashov and Stanislav Markelov, were shot and killed in attacks officials connected to their work.
Rights workers say the Russian government's lenient attitude to the far right allows racism to flourish in Russia, which is home to some 20 million Muslims, a seventh of the population.
Many migrants from the impoverished North Caucasus, where an Islamist insurgency is raging, come to the Russian heartland for menial work. They say they are often treated with suspicion by ethnic Russians and many face racism.
Those convicted on Monday belong to the far-right Nationalist Socialist Society, which was outlawed in February and whose logo is a red and black stylised swastika.
The group's leader Lev Molotkov pleaded not guilty, and the defence plans to appeal against the length of the sentences, Russian media reported.
After being convicted, some of the nationalists shouted: "Our conscience is above your laws, we'll be back!" Interfax news agency reported.
They were also found guilty of attempted terrorism, creating and participating in extremism and inciting racial hatred.
Reuters
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