Slovak threatens with more fires over Romany colony - TA3

A Slovak citizen claimed responsibility for a recently extinguished big fire and threatened to start new fires if the construction of a Romany settlement near Letanovce, east Slovakia, is not stopped, the TA3 news TV reported today.

The anonymous person said he/she started the fire that burnt 11 days in the Slovensky raj national park, spreading over 16 hectares of forests.

Slovak police are examining the anonymous letter, addressed to the management of the national park, the TA3 said.
But according to preliminary investigation, the fire broke out after lightning struck.

In February, an anonymous author threatened to poison drinking water reservoirs in Slovensky raj unless the construction of the Romany settlement is stopped, the television recalled.

Some 1000 Romanies are to move from the shanty village near Letanovce closer to some villages and towns whose residents oppose the plan.

The local people fear increased crime and inhibited development of tourism in the area will be consequences of the step. Letanovce mayor received death threats in the past over the construction of the Romany settlement.

The settlement on the edge of Letanovce near Spisska Nova Ves became a symbol of Slovak Romanies’ poverty.

According to estimates, some 400,000 Romanies live in the five-million Slovakia. Their living conditions are the worst in east Slovakia.