Mass Riots Rock Macedonian Roma Settlement

The riot police that arrived at the scene used tear gas and arrested several people after on Thursday afternoon several hounded market vendors started throwing rocks at officials from the market inspection who were seizing counterfeited goods sold at the local market.

“Immediately after the rocks started flying, the police officers used force and dispersed the crowd,” police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told media.

He noted that the officers arrested several persons who were allegedly involved in the incident and that it will press changes against those believed to have taken part in the riots.

The incident ended after more than two hours of clashes and local news outlets reported one injured rioter.

OSCE officials rushed to the scene to meet with the mayor of Suto Orizari, Elvis Bajram.

Suto Orizari is the largest Roma settlement in Skopje and in Macedonia. Located on the periphery of the capital, the settlement faces huge unemployment, which has caused many people to turn to the grey economy. The market in Suto Orizari is believed to be one of the best supplied places selling counterfeited goods.

Suto Orizari marketers told local media that the market inspection had resulted in the seizure of goods in the amount of €20,000.