One of the leaders of the Russian Migrants Federation, known for his anti-nationalist stance, was wounded in the shoulder in Moscow's Novokosino district Tuesday.
Mais Kurbanov was coming home at 1:55 a.m. when he saw four men waiting for him in front of his apartment building, Muhammad Amin, head of the Migrants Federation, told The Moscow Times.
Kurbanov saw that the shot was fired by a woman wielding a traumatic pistol. Immediately after the attack he ran into a nearby cafe and called the police.
Kurbanov, who has received repeated threats from radical nationalists on the Internet, is currently in hospital but his life not being in danger.
Police officers have questioned Kurbanov and are currently investigating the incident.
Moscow has seen a rise in nationalist sentiment with hundreds of residents in the city's Biryulyovo district rioting on Oct. 13 against illegal immigration following the fatal stabbing of a Russian. An Azeri is the main suspect in the case.
One of the slogans chanted at a Russian nationalist march on Nov. 4 was "to take up arms" against migrants.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.