Extremist crime rate up over 25% in Russia in 2021 - Putin

MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - The extremist crime rate grew over 25% in Russia in 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an expanded board meeting of the Interior Ministry on Thursday.

"The growing number of extremist crimes is a serious signal that requires comprehensive analysis. Their number grew by over a quarter in 2021," Putin said.

The relevant divisions of the Russian Interior Ministry should combine efforts with other law enforcement agencies and security services to timely assess the risks of extremism and to elaborate effective preventive measures, he said.

"Emphasis should be put on the suppression of attempts of extremists and various sorts of radicals to use Internet capacities, the modern communication systems for inciting inter-ethnic, religious and social enmity. I believe the Interior Ministry has enough powers to do that," Putin said.

Law enforcement agencies should be more active in involving mass media, civil society institutions, youth movements, and traditional religions in the prevention of extremism, he said.