Russian Court Finds Skinheads Guilty of Killing a Young Romani Girl in Russia

11 March 2005

According to a November 23, 2004, report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), seven confessed skinheads were found guilty of premeditated homicide on November 22 in connection with the September 21, 2003, death of Nilufar Sangboeva, a 6-year-old Romani girl. According to St Petersburg-based non-governmental organisation Northwest Center of Social and Legal Protection of Roma, the court recognized the racial motivation of the crime. On December 8, the court sentenced seven minors to 2˝- to 10-years imprisonment. On September 21, 2003, a large group of men armed with clubs and other weapons attacked a Romani camp near a train station in St Petersburg, killing Ms Sangboeva and seriously injuring two other young girls. RFE/RL reported that sentencing was scheduled for early December 2004.

(RFE/RL, Northwest Center of Social and Legal Protection of Roma)