Crimes against Russians causing worry back home: Consul general
By IANSWednesday, December 16, 2009
PANAJI - Victimisation of Russian citizens in Goa has created a lot of apprehension back home, the Russian consul general has said in a letter to the state chief minister.
The letter dated Dec 14 said “crimes against women” in Goa were increasing and that the mission was willing to tell its citizens not to go out after 10 p.m. in Goa, if it helps the situation.
“The incidents where Russian citizens are victim of crime in Goa have caused a great public concern in our country. Because of poor security situation in Goa, foreign tourists might become victims of crime,” consul general of the Russian consulate in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky said.
“We are deeply concerned about the criminal situation in Goa. As you know, the number of Russian tourists coming to your state (Goa) is steadily growing. At the same time, there is an increase in crimes against women,” the letter which was received by the chief ministers office Tuesday said.
Referring to the alleged rape of a 25-year-old Russian by a local politician John Fernandes, in the wee hours of Dec 2 and the harassment faced by the victim from police, Mantytsky said: We would be happy to inform our citizens not to remain outside after 10 p.m., if you suppose that it would assist in their security.
Expressing astonishment over the investigation into the rape case, the consul general further said: Even many days after the incident, the accused was not subjected to medical examination to ascertain injuries on his body. The vehicle used by John to commit the offence was not examined. The clothes he was wearing on the day of offence were not preserved for chemical analysis. During this time, all possibility to gather evidence was destroyed.
Goan politicians, including Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao and Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik have gone on record blaming the rape victims for travelling late in the night which they claim was the main reason why the crime was committed.
