A 17-year-old university student was attacked in northern Moscow earlier this week by unknown thugs. Ethnic Chechen identified as Kazbek Dadakhanov is said to be related to former mayor of Grozny Bislan Gantamirov, Kommersant Daily reported Friday.

Kazbek Dadakhanov was returning home from a judo training session. Upon leaving the vestibule of Rechnoi Vokzal metro station in northern Moscow he quarreled with two men who shouted obscenities at him, witnesses said. After the three exited the station the quarrel continued and evolved in a fight. The teenager was stabbed in the chest while his assailants fled. He died minutes afterwards.

The pro-rebel Chechen website Kavkaz Tsentr said that not one but two young Chechens were attacked, Kazbek and his cousin.

Investigation into the murder is underway. Police sources do not rule out that attack could be racially motivated.

Russia has experienced a surge in racist violence in recent years, from isolated acts of assault and murder to well-coordinated riots and attacks on large groups of migrants.

Popularity: 1% [?]