Bulgaria Launches Official Probe into Roma Vendetta

Prosecutors have launched pre-trial proceedings into the two days of Roma violence in a Sofia district that set the capital on edge and renewed the debate about minority discrimination.

Sofia district prosecutor’s office conducts interrogations, collects evidence and examines video recordings of the incident.

For two days police and gendarmerie have been guarding the district of Krasna Polyana to prevent escalation of the tension a huge mob of Romas gathered there Monday night to retaliate the skinheads.

At least 200 Roma gathered Monday night in the district, including children under ten, who carried axes, cudgels, pitchforks and stones, chanting "Death for the Bulgarians". The policemen apparently did not how to react and decided to watch passively the scenes of violence.

The rioting Romas blocked the Rishki Prohod Boulevard and did not allow taxis to pass and tried to chase away the media, while complaining at the same time before the cameras that they are being bullied by the Bulgarian population in the area.

One man was injured and a policeman was reported lightly wounded, according to unconfirmed information.

The police are still investigating the circumstances of the brawl, but Roma witnesses claimed it was retaliation for a brawl the previous night, when 30 skinheads reportedly attacked three Roma teenagers, one of whom was badly beaten.

Between 20 and 30 people were involved in the row, although witness reports are contradictory, the police said. Four people, all of them Roma, were detained to testify and were released shortly afterwards.

Interior Chief Secretary Iliya Iliev defended the police lack of actions,s aying they feared they might be accused of discrimination if they were too tough.

"A policeman is timid in his actions when he fears that he may end up at the military prosecutor’s office if he uses his powers to the fullest," he commented.