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  Alexey Etmanov, chairman of the independent trade union of the Ford car factory in the Russian city of Vsevolozhsk, near St Petersburg, was attacked by unknown assailants on 8 November 2008. Etmanov had just parked his car outside his home after returning from his shift late at night when he was suddenly attacked by three men with brass knuckles. Etmanov managed to draw a stun gun and fire against the assailants. Etmanov first thought that the attackers were mere street hooligans. It appears, however, that he was mistaken. The next day, the deputy chairman of the factory's independent trade union, Vladimir Lesik received a call warning him that the nightly incident had nothing to do with a robbery. "You were warned lightly. If you continue to mess with us, you will die," the anonymous caller said. The combative trade union at Ford-Vsevolozhsk has proved to be a veritable nuisance to many — both employers and dealers. By establishing the first independent Inter-Regional Union of Auto Industry Workers (MPRA), the union has raised the ire of the management of car plants in Taganrog, Togliatti, and their puppet unions. Alexey Etmanov is co-chairman of MPRA. This is not the first time that labour activists have been attacked in Russia. The St Petersburg-based Committee for Solidarity Action (KSD), as well as socialist and trade union organisations, including the Marxist Group Workers Action (MGRD), have begun a campaign of protest against the actions of the administration of the Taganrog Auto Plant (TagAZ). The attack on Etmanov may be related to this. There was another attack against Alexey Etmanov on 14 November 2008. Hroniki.info reports that after the attack on 7 November 2008, Etmanov's fellow union activists have been guarding his security. On 14 November 2008, Etmanov was returning from work at around 1 am at night together with his wife. Two trade union activists waited in the car outside Etmanov's house to make sure he got safely home. Etmanov noticed that the lights were out on his floor and the floor below. Sensing danger, he drew his stun gun. He noticed there was somebody hiding in the corridor. Etmanov demanded that the man come out. The man then pounced on Etmanov, holding a steel pipe. Etmanov shot into the air with his stun gun and managed to escape through the exit. Etmanov's fellow activists blocked the exit, and Etmanov called the police. The police patrol arrested a young man, aged around 25 years. The police found a metal pipe and an abandoned mobile telephone in the corridor. The police took the man to the local precinct. The police is now considering whether to begin a criminal case. Etmanov is asking for attention to the case as he feels threatened. They are asking to send appeals calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into these attacks to: Mr. Yuriy Chaika 125993, Moscow, GSP-3, 15a B. Dimitrovka str. RUSSIA Mr. Sergey Romanyuk |
 Finnish-Russian Civic Forum about the inhumane treatment and torture in the colonies of Saint Petersburg Vadim Karastelejov, an expert with Novorossijsk Human Rights Committee, was assaulted by two people Police try to search Moscow-based independent weekly New Times for sources to story about elite unit  |
