St. Petersburg explores idea of Caucasian youth patrols

Authorities in Russia's northern capital St. Petersburg confirmed Monday they were taking seriously the idea of creating street patrols composed of young people of Caucasian origin.

The proposal is currently being considered by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko and will also be discussed at the upcoming meetings of the city's Science, Youth and Law Committees as well as by local representatives of the Interior Ministry, local media reported.

Ethnic tensions in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities have remained high in recent months after terror attacks in the southern cities of Volgograd and Stavropol in the lead-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Street clashes, frequently alcohol-fuelled, between Slavic and Caucasian gangs are also a feature of life in St. Petersburg.

Although the precise role of the proposed youth patrols has yet to be defined, the idea of recruiting Caucasian youths is intended to defuse potential tensions between Slavic nationalist groups and the predominantly Muslim Caucasian population.

The Caucasian population includes natives of Russian provinces such as Chechnya and Dagestan as well as immigrants from the neighboring former Soviet republics of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The move is also seen as a way of fighting the perception of many Caucasians that local authorities are prejudiced against them.

According to the proposal, only permanent city residents of North Caucasian origin will be considered for patrol duty.

A final decision on the youth patrols is due by Feb. 20.

ANN.Az