RUSSIAN KILLED IN PORTUGAL

Russian citizen Konstantin Atrotchenko, 26, was killed yesterday when he was trying to cross a road in the north of Portugal. The road is straight with good visibility but it seems either he crossed it at the wrong time or the driver of the car which hit him was not concentrating on the road in front. It will be remembered that Portugal has the worst record of road accidents in Europe. This death is not the first among Russian citizens on the roads of Portugal. One advises all Russians to expect the worst driving possible, to be ready for the most flagrant infractions. Green lights or red lights mean nothing in Portugal. It is not enough to look left and right before crossing a road…one also has to see if a car is being driven on the pavement. There are reportedly many thousands of Russian immigrants in Portugal, a country which is in the process of legalising its immigrant population. New immigrants are being advised to register with the respective Trade Union of the profession they are practising for their own protection. Many of the Portuguese trade unions are connected to the Portuguese Communist Party, a well-organised organism which guarantees workers’ rights through the appropriate legal measures and offers protection against exploitation. To finish, our condolences to the family of Konstantin Atrotchenko. There are no magic words, there is no easy solution to the problem of grief. There is human support, solidarity and the knowledge that our memories prove that our dear ones live on.

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.RU LISBON