May 23, 2005 - 08:41 AMT
URAL AUTHORITIES FEAR FOR LIVES OF ARMENIAN POPULATION
The murder of three Armenians is being investigated in the town of Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Ural (Russia). The investigators do not rule out that the crime was committed on account of national hostility. The Ural policemen are working in the emergency regime. Presently the investigating experiment is under way. Five teenagers show and tell how they beat to death three Armenians with boards. They killed two at a café and then one in the town center. After committing the murder the teenagers came back to the café, took a loudspeaker and announced they had made a cleansing. Head of the department of home affairs of the Verkhnyaya Pyshma Nikolay Buyanov said, "They think they must clean the territory. They killed two people and then took a taxi and went to town center. On they way they came across one more Armenian and killed him too." The skinheads were arrested within three days. At first they were suspected of a murder with a purpose of robbery as they took the cell phones and purses. However presently other motives including national hostility are being considered. To note, about 500 Armenian families live in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. After the murder of their compatriots they met with the representatives of the police, who promised to carry out a transparent and fair investigation. The Armenian Ambassador to Russia also watches the developments.