Russian police have detained over 1,600 migrants for rioting through a southern neighborhood over a fatal stabbing that many locals have blamed on a man from the Caucasus region.
Advocacy groups alerted migrants from Russia's Muslim Caucasus region and Central Asia of an "increased risk of attacks" in the worst ethnic disturbance in Moscow since 2010, according to Reuters.
Nearly 200 residents rallied in the Biryulyovo section to ask for tougher policing of labor migrants, in a second day of protests over the stabbing death of Yegor Shcherbakov.
"We are scared to walk the streets at night," local resident, Alexei Zhuravlyov, said according to Reuters. "They (migrants) are always attacking, stealing from and killing people. They don't even abide by basic rules like stopping at a red light."
A larger protest just a day earlier turned into violent riots.
People were seen fighting with police, smashing shops, vending stalls, and other stores that employ migrant workers, according to Reuters.
Migrant labor has played an important role in Russia's transformation during an economic boom that started around 2000.
"They come here and act as if it were their home," local Biryulyovo resident Tatiana said.
In an attempt to make residents happy, police detained at least 1,200 people at a wholesale vegetable market on Oct. 13.
Another 450 were detained in northeastern Moscow, near a vegetable market that employs migrant workers.
The rioting started before Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday that most Russian Muslims begin celebrating on Oct. 15.
Related Articles:
2014 BMW 4 Series Convertible Specs, Price Unveiled (VIDEO)
Tesla Model X Debut: Over 6,000 Vehicles Already Reserved
F-35 Fighter Jet Deal: Israel Signs on to Make Helmets for The U.S.
Brad Keselowski Drives With a Jack Under His Car, Still Wins AT Charlotte (VIDEO)
Porsche Macan And Its New Headlights Teased Before the Los Angeles Auto Show
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
