Presented on social networks as being Tajiks, even before their detention, the profile of the suspects in the attack on Crocus City Hall, near Moscow, quickly went around Russia. In a country still in shock from the deadly attack, some members of the Tajik diaspora say they have found themselves facing reactions of distrust, and sometimes anger, in recent days.
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From our correspondent in Moscow,
“ Above all, don’t leave your house », This is a call that circulated very early this weekend in the WhatsApp groups of migrants from the Tajik community. This is because testimonies of threats and verbal violence very quickly circulated: “ We receive a lot of messages from our friends who are couriers or those who look after children, who are asked not to come to work, that no one wants them for deliveries to customers. Taxi drivers say customers refuse them, or shout at them to go back to their country. »
On taxi booking sites, we have seen customer warnings like: “ If you are Tajik, I cancel the race. » Toghrul Farajov, lawyer specializing in the defense of migrants in Russia, now advises in this period to be careful with each of your gestures: “ You must have checked that each of your papers, each of your documents is absolutely in order upon your arrival on Russian territory, and always have them with you. Having a well-groomed appearance is really important too. And you also have to be systematically very polite and courteous. It is also important to know the law in the event of arrest. But in the latter case, the best thing is to film everything. »
Long and insistent police checks and sometimes insults in the street have even been reported. Aware of the climate, many members of the Tajik community in recent days have done everything to demonstrate their solidarity with the victims.
In the meantime, all Central Asian communities are worried, as are their authorities. On Monday, March 25, even Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry recommended that its citizens postpone all non-essential travel to Russia.
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