Russian president against intolerance

YAROSLAVL, Russia, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is urging citizens to be tolerant of ethnic differences, saying Russia benefits from its diversity.

A poll conducted by the Levada Center found that at least 20 percent of Russians have adverse feelings towards "people of a different nationality."

Xenophobia has grown throughout the country after a soccer fan was shot during a fight with men from the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus in December.

At an economic forum in Yaroslavl Thursday, Medvedev said that racial animosity threatens the country's stability.

"Those who behave improperly or commit a crime after coming to a new place should be punished; as should be those who violate the rights of minorities," Medvedev said. "However, maintaining law and order should not be an excuse for discriminating against a minority or majority based on their race."

At least 15 people have been killed in race-hate crimes so far this year in Russia.