The Bulgarian town of Samokov has launched an investigation in the death of
the 17-year-old Roma boy Asparuh, who was beaten to death on Tuesday night (more
here...).
Four youngsters were detained Wednesday for starting up the fight that
erupted between two groups of teenagers - Roma and Bulgarians - at the central
square of the town.
The two groups had a verbal conflict that quickly grew to a violent clash.
The group of Bulgarian boys, who were later arrested is from the opposite side
of town and may have never met Asparuh or his friends before before.
It is still not clear what had exactly happened that night to cause the clash
between the youngsters. The only known part of the story so far is that Asparuh
collapsed on the ground after a strong blow and was later declared dead by the
paramedics, who arrived on the spot.
The incident in which Asparuh was killed is not based on any ethnic
prejudice, the Samokov authorities said Thursday, but the Roma population in the
town was put on high alert. They even went out on protest.
The number of police patrols in the town was raised and gendarmerie was sent
to prevent escalation of the social pressure.
