Two Russian Sailors Beaten and Robbed on Popeshead Street, St. John's

Two Russian crew members were attacked and robbed by a group of men on Popeshead Street at 1:20 a.m. on June 4. One victim was hospitalised with serious injuries; no arrests have been made.

Russian sailors assaulted and robbed in St. John's; one hospitalised

Two Russian nationals were attacked, beaten and robbed by a group of men in the early hours of Thursday morning in St. John's, antigua.news reports. One of the victims was transported to hospital with serious injuries following the incident, which took place along Popeshead Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. on June 4.

Police investigations were triggered after a report was made to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that two Caucasian men had been assaulted by a group of attackers. A follow-up report led officers to Heritage Quay, where they found 21-year-old Aleksandr Liashev with a facial injury and a wound above his left eyebrow.

Liashev told police that he and fellow crew member Vladislav Andronov had been set upon by several men while returning to their vessel. Emergency Medical Services treated Liashev at the scene; he was issued a medical form but declined further treatment.

Officers subsequently located the second victim, Andronov, in the Yorks area. He sustained multiple bleeding wounds to his head and left arm. According to Andronov, the group ambushed the two men and struck them with bottles and a piece of wood approximately two centimetres thick. During the assault, his black Calvin Klein backpack was stolen, containing photocopies of identification documents and US$20 in cash.

EMS transported Andronov to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where a doctor reportedly informed police that his condition was serious but stable.

Investigators later reached the vessel's master, Russian national Nikolai Turkin, to inform him of the attack and the condition of his crew members.

Police conducted searches for the alleged assailants, but no arrests have been made. Investigations into the assault and robbery remain ongoing.

The Police Administration condemned the attack and stated it remains committed to the safety and security of both residents and visitors to the country.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913/14 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).

Source: Antigua Observer