Putin warns after Moscow clashes

Violent clashes outside the Kremlin have highlighted the need to strengthen law and order, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said today.

A weekend rally of 5,000 racists and hooligans left more than 30 people injured and raised doubts about the Kremlin’s ability to stem a rising tide of xenophobia.

Police on Wednesday prevented new clashes between racists and mostly Muslim ethnic minorities, detaining over 1,000 people in Moscow.

Putin, speaking during a phone-in broadcast live on Russian state television and radio said the violence demonstrated the importance of maintaining law and order in the interests of the majority.

He said it also underlined the need to protect the rights of every ethnic group and educate the population to fight xenophobia.

Putin lashed out at liberal critics who have accused his government of sending riot police to disband opposition protests.

“It’s necessary to prevent extremism from all flanks,” Putin said. “The liberal community must understand the need for maintaining order. The government exists to protect the majority’s interests.”

He said the rallies demonstrated the need to raise the prestige of the police force. The force has faced public criticism over corruption and other abuses.

“We mustn’t paint them all in black and bring them down,” Putin said. “Or otherwise the liberal intellectuals will be the ones who have to shave their thin beards off, put helmets on and go out on the square to fight the radicals.”

Putin’s long-time aide Vladislav Surkov, now serving as the Kremlin’s deputy chief of staff, accused critics of the government of helping pave the way for racist hooligans by holding unauthorised rallies.

Many Russian observers in the past have noted links between nationalist groups and some part of officialdom, saying that hard-liners within the government may be supporting the nationalists to justify tight Kremlin controls and fend off efforts to open up Russia’s political system.

While Russian police quickly and brutally disperse peaceful protests by anti-Kremlin activists, some nationalist groups have been allowed to hold their rallies freely in recent years.

Opposition groups claim that pro-Kremlin youth organisations have hired soccer fans and ultranationalists to attack Kremlin critics.

Moscow police said some of the 800 people detained in the capital were released immediately but others particularly those found to be carrying weapons, were held for investigation.