Suspected Russian Attackers Of Tajik Train Apprehended

MOSCOW -- A group of teenagers suspected of attacking a Tajik train has been apprehended in Russia.

Police in Russia's Voronezh Oblast said on November 5 that eight local teenagers between 15 and 18 years old have been arrested and charged with vandalism.

Last week, Russia's Interior Ministry acknowledged the October 26 attack on the Moscow-Dushanbe line, saying hooligans had stoned the train, breaking windows in several cars.

The Tajik Railways Company sent a note to its Russian counterpart, demanding full investigations into what it said were two attacks -- one on the Moscow-Dushanbe line and another on the Moscow-Khujand route.

An official at the Tajik Embassy in Moscow told RFE/RL that the attackers shouted nationalist remarks.

The Russian statement last week denied any nationalist overtones to the attack.


Based on reporting by "Kommersant" and Interfax