Satendar Singh’s alleged murderer flees the United States Washington, DC – August 14, 2007 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest and largest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, commends the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Jan Scully for the steps they are taking to address the murder of Satendar Singh last month. Last week, DA Scully filed formal charges against Andrey Vusik, for involuntary manslaughter and with committing a hate crime, and Alex Shevchenko, for committing a hate crime and issued warrants for their arrests. “We commend Sacramento authorities for recognizing the nature of the attack on Mr. Singh and charging his alleged assailants with a hate crime,” said Kavneet Singh, SALDEF Managing Director. “Hate crimes are intended to create a sense of fear within a community and must be dealt with in a serious manner to ensure that perpetrators realize that these vile acts will not be tolerated.” Mr. Singh died on July 5, 2007 as a result of a severe brain injury he received after a vicious assault four days earlier. The individuals who perpetrated the attack hurled racially, ethnic and sexually charged slurs at Mr. Singh and his friends. Mr. Vusik, who faces up to eight years in prison, is believed to have fled the United States after the incident. Sacramento County Sherrif’s Department are working with the FBI to secure his arrest. Schevchenko, who faces up to three years in prison, is in police custody at a Sacramento County Jail. If you believe you have been the target of bias, harassment, or a hate crime please contact SALDEF at info@saldef.org or 202-393-2700.
