‘Russians not victimised’

‘Russians not victimised’
Russians Misbehave As Their Consulate Protects Them: Cops
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Goa police is not “victimizing” Russian tourists visiting the state, states a report prepared by the Goa police and submitted to the government. “There has not been harassment of any kind meted out to the Russians.
Infact they have exaggerated the facts inorder to mislead their own authorities and inorder to coverup their faults,” said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
Russian authorities had recently raised concern over the security situation in Goa and alleged that their citizens were getting an unfair deal from Goa policemen, hotel and guesthouse owners and car and two wheeler owners.
It was alleged that Goans indulge in numerous unlawful acts against their nationals and the state authorities need to take appropriate action to protect Russian tourists’ rights in the state.
Interestingly, police investigations have exposed the other side of the coin. “In some cases the Russian consulate is exaggerating the facts to project victimization of Russians at the hands of locals, even as the Russians behave aggressively with the locals fully knowing well that their consulate is there to protect them, even from their misdeeds”, the report reads.
It may be recalled that after the Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky, came down to Goa in March and discussed five cases of alleged police inaction with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, he had asked the police to prepare a status report.
South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “In all these cases prompt action has been taken by police and in one case, even offence has been registered.”
CASE 1: Andrey Zemchikin and four others alleged that they were assaulted by 30 Goans with bats and stones. They then missed their flights and lost over USD 3000 in air tickets cost. Police report: The alleged assault never took place nor threats were given to the Russians. The allegations are false and baseless. On the contrary, the Russians had stolen a bike from a Anjuna local and refused to pay the rental charges.
CASE 2: A Aksenov and N Ridi complained that they met with a road accident in Canacona, in which their rented car was damaged. A hotel owner from Vagator, who had rented them the car, refused to return their documents, money and personel belongings which were kept in his hotel, till they paid for the damage of the “insured” car. Police report: The police immediately acted and got the hotel owner to return their documents, money and personel belongings.
CASE 3: Evgeny Kuzmin, who was reportedly on a secret mission to gather complete information regarding the Russians involved in the drug trade in Goa was found dead in a hotel room under suspicious circumstances. Police report: There is no foul play. The viscera has been sent for examination to Hyderabad on January 4, 2008.
CASE 4: Ekaterina Vladimirova complained that a shack owner Agnelo Noronha from Uttorda had wrongfully restrained her and outraged her modesty. A case was registered at Verna police station on January 1, 2008. Police report: Agnelo was arrested and released on bail on January 1, 2008 itself. Investigation is under progress

2008 May 15 Times Of India Goa