The concept of a social group in the context of article 282 of the RF Criminal code

The article deals with the feature which indicates a definite social group belonging as written in Article 282 of the RF Criminal Code. The author examines different approaches to the term social group used in sociology and science of law, points out its main characteristics and offers the definition of a social group applicable to Article 282 of the RF Criminal Code. The author also gives the most popular classifications of social groups, their types and kinds characteristic of Article 282 of the RF Criminal Code. Basing on the analysis of judicial court practice, the author points out various social groups which include the victims who sufferedfrom the acts of excitation of hate or enmity as well as abasement of human dignity.