Mexican mob attacks Russian

MEXICO CITY: A mob of angry Mexicans attacked a Russian man in the Caribbean resort of Cancun with sticks and rocks over his repeated insults against locals, and the 42-year-old man was accused of fatally stabbing a youth in the melee, authorities said on Saturday.

Police rescued the Russian, identified as Aleksei Makeev, after the crowd stormed his apartment on Friday night, Benito Juarez municipality secretary-general Guillermo Brahms said.

Blurry footage of the attack circulated widely on Mexican media on Saturday.

In one clip, assailants can be heard shouting “You’re going to die” and “I’m going to cut your head off” as they closed in on the Russian.

The incident began when a group of people confronted Makeev over his disparaging comments towards locals, many of which he videotaped and posted online.

Makeev stabbed a youth who got into his apartment, prompting the mob to grow and the violence to escalate, Brahms said. The youth later died from his injuries. Makeev, who was taken to hospital for treatment, is being held there under protective custody, the official said.

Authorities said Makeev made videos of himself insulting people in public places in Russian, English and Spanish.

Mexico’s National Migration Institute said multiple complaints had been filed against Makeev and it is seeking Russia’s cooperation to deport him. – Reuters