V. Putin: “There should be no fear”
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has blamed the police for the mass disturbances that began in Moscow on December 11.
Putin said this during the program "Talk with Vladimir Putin: Continued" broadcast live on several Russian television and radio stations.
"The murder of "Spartak" team fan Yegor Sviridov is not the reason for the disturbances, but the fact that the authorities didn't respond to that as they should have," said Putin.
Putin mentioned that extremist actions should be prevented from all sides regardless of where they emanate from.
"We can't observe the Caucasians or other nations in general, though there is no such thing as a Caucasian. We must strictly prevent such extremist ambitions. Our society must realize that rules and regulations must be maintained," said Putin.
The Russian Prime Minister mentioned that the criticism against the police was fair, but added that not all police officers can be measured the same.
"We must free ourselves from any kind of fear. The residents of all regions of Russia must feel secure in this country and the local authorities play a huge role," said Putin.
Let us remind that "Spartak" team fan Yegor Sviridov's murder on the part of Kazakh youth served as a reason for the clashes in Moscow. Six suspects were arrested of which five were released and only the murderer was left in prison.
This made Sviridov's supporters furious and they held protests on the streets of Moscow, attacked and beat Caucasian men and provoked disturbances in central Moscow.
Twelve people were transferred to the Moscow hospital as a result of the clashes, while 1,300 people were arrested.
