Shooting and mass brawl in Asenovgrad: 13 people injured in clash between two Roma families
A fresh confrontation between two families from an ethnic neighbourhood erupted in Asenovgrad. When police intervened, one of the participants opened fire with an air weapon, injuring a dozen people and a uniformed officer.
Shooting and mass brawl in Asenovgrad: 13 people injured in clash between two Roma families
On the night of 5 to 6 July, a police patrol sent to restore peace in a neighbourhood of the Roma quarter in Asenovgrad was met with stones, glass bottles and gunfire. In the incident on Murgavets Street, 13 people were injured, including one law enforcement officer, according to 24 Hours.
According to the head of the regional police directorate in Plovdiv, Senior Commissar Vasil Kostadinov, the injured sustained minor wounds and after examination were discharged to be treated at home. The condition of the injured police officer also does not cause concern. Kostadinov described the case as "extremely brazen and cynical", as the attackers were not impressed by the presence of authorities.
The feud between the two families dates back to the beginning of May. A local resident, Nadka Ilieva, told the media that a man from the upper part of the street regularly insulted and threatened his neighbours. According to her, the dispute originated because some members of the feuding families were not working and were supported by begging and theft. Her husband, Shinko, criticised law enforcement authorities for allowing the same individuals to constantly create disorder without facing judicial responsibility.
The tension is not new. On 3 July, because of a brawl between the same groups, two people were detained, and the state prosecution launched expedited proceedings for threats of murder. Due to recurring incidents in the area, permanent police presence was deployed.
During the night operation, uniformed officers searched every commercial premises and every alleyway in the neighbourhood. The following day, more people were brought from their homes for questioning. Kostadinov clarified that all those involved in the disorder are criminally active, and many of them already have criminal convictions. He added that the two families live in buildings without construction documents – one group in municipal properties, the other in illegally built houses, and called on institutions to finally address the problem.
After the night's confrontation, Murgavets Street was scattered with broken glass, and some of the homes had shattered windows. "Stones, knives, sabres" – that is how Shinko described the situation. The prosecution is expected to bring charges against those involved.
Source: 24 Chasa