Moscow investigative service to open special department on ethnic crimes

The Criminal Investigation Service of the Russian Federation may open a special department dealing with ethnic crimes, Head of the Russian Federation's Chief Interior Department Vladimir Kolokotsev has said, RIA Novosti reported.

According to Interfax, Kolokotsev has also produced some evidence that 70% of the crimes in Moscow is committed by immigrants. However, he refrained from pointing out any ethnic groups.

"It's a very delicate matter which can be misinterpreted by some members of society, depending on their political preferences," he told a meeting with Moscow residents and NGO representatives.

Kolokotsev said the rape statistics in the Russian capital has increased by 79% over the past months, with most of the perpetrators being from CIS republics, particularly Asian states. Meantime he called on people not to make any generalizations.