The incident on Russky Island took place when Muslim workers confronted security personnel over a dry law that made it impossible for them to celebrate Uraza-bayram, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Saturday.
In accordance with the rule, officers confiscated workers' alcohol Saturday.
Some 500 workers, some wielding stones, pelted officers and nearby vehicles, prompting officials to call in riot police. Eight were injured in the ensuing violence; one worker was bitten by a police dog and one person was hospitalized, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said.
The construction site was not damaged because the brawl took place at a workers' dormitory nearby, said Yekaterina Chernenko, a spokeswoman for Krokus, the general contractor in charge of building the Far-Eastern Federal University, which will host the APEC summit.
This is not the first labor disturbance to hit Russky Island. In September 2010, Chinese workers went on strike, demanding unpaid wages, the BBC Russian service reported at the time.
An investigation has been opened into Sunday's incident.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
