For the first time, a senior federal-level official has admitted the existence of \"right-wing, extremist, fascist youth groups\" in Russia, \"Izvestiya\" reported on 3 March. According to the daily, acting Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev told a meeting of top law enforcement officials on 2 March that Russia \"is threatened by extreme manifestations of extremism in the youth sphere.\" According to the daily, federal officials have not previously acknowledged the existence of the fascist youth movement, devotees of \"white power\" or skinheads. Incidents that appeared to be racially motivated are normally attributed to soccer fans or hooligans. \"Nezavisimaya gazeta\" on 3 March commented that in the recent past, high-level officials have openly stated that there are no skinheads in Moscow or anywhere else. Nurgaliev called on his ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) to weaken the groups by \"neutralizing\" their leaders. (RFE/RL)