A new inorganic scintillating material is provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m-n)HfnCemA(3+n), where A is Br or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens of the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y. A new crystal scintillator is also provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m)CemA3:n.Hf4+, where Ln(1-m)CemA3 represents the chemical composition of the matrix material, A is Br, or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens from the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y; Hf4+ is a dopant. A radiation detector comprising a scintillating element based on the novel inorganic scintillating material is also provided.