Moscow, Jan 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Three students were arrested in Tajikistan Tuesday on suspicion of murdering a young man dressed as Father Frost — or the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus — on New Year’s eve.
A police official said the crime was committed by 30 religious fanatics protesting the Father Frost tradition imposed during the Soviet era. The Tajik interior ministry has denied the reports, Russian radio website Ekho Moskvy said.
Police said the three detainees — students of the Tajik national university — were drunk when they allegedly attacked the 24-year-old victim.
The man had put on the Father Frost outfit to congratulate his relatives. He was severely beaten up on his way home, and died in hospital of injuries.
The murder caused an outcry in the country and is being actively discussed on social networking websites.
The country’s spiritual leader Saidmukarram Abdukodirzoda said in December that festivities such as decorating the New Year tree, dancing and playing games around it were all alien to Tajik culture and contradicted Islamic rules.
But the holiday is nevertheless celebrated, with Christmas trees standing on the streets and parties organised in schools across the country.
