Originally published April 20, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 20, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Hitler's birthday met with fear in Moscow
A leading Moscow university ordered its foreign students on Thursday to stay in their dormitories for the next three days due to fears of...
The Associated Press
MOSCOW — A leading Moscow university ordered its foreign students on Thursday to stay in their dormitories for the next three days due to fears of ethnic violence before and after Adolf Hitler's birthday.
The move by Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy underscores the failure of Russian authorities to stem xenophobia and racism that are feeding a marked rise in hate crimes. At least 22 people have been killed and more than 130 injured in apparent hate crimes in Russia this year, according to the Sova human-rights center.
Hundreds of foreigners at the school were told to stock up on food and warned they would not be let out of the dormitories through Saturday.
A Sechenov Academy official said the school was conducting emergency drills, but conceded that one reason for the measure was to protect foreign students from potential violence around the time of Hitler's birthday today.
Skinheads tend to become more violent around the Nazi leader's April 20 birthday, and in the past have appeared in groups, shouted slogans and staged attacks on dark-skinned foreigners and others who do not appear Slavic.
Only physicians in training were being allowed to go out, along with students who signed a statement taking responsibility for their own safety.
In the past, Moscow authorities have also closed some outdoor markets, where many traders are dark-skinned foreigners, for several days before Hitler's birthday to avoid violence.
Rights activists say authorities are doing little to combat growing racism. They say obvious hate crimes are regularly classified as mere hooliganism, some ultranationalist Web sites are allowed to operate and some lawmakers openly support radical nationalist groups or ideas.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Sources: Obama near decision on Afghanistan troops
Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect
D.C. sniper mastermind set to be executed Tuesday
Case against Ohio bodies suspect expands overseas

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
258 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
247 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
172 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
101 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect





