The awful behaviour of some Roma people in the Dolenjska region isn’t letting up. On Tuesday night, folks in the town of Šentjernej got spooked by a bunch of shots from automatic weapons coming from the nearby Roma settlement of Mihovica. There was also shooting in one of the Roma settlements in Novo Mesto.
The shooting in Mihovica was recorded by surveillance cameras, and the footage was published by the Šentjernej People’s Initiative. The recordings capture bursts of automatic rifle fire, which rang out at least twice during the night in the immediate vicinity of the town. Experts concluded that the shots were most likely fired from a Kalashnikov rifle.
In one burst, 30 shots were heard, which is the number of rounds that the aforementioned rifle has in its magazine. The footage of the shooting can be viewed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BCRogEK8L/
Last night, shots were also heard from the Roma settlement of Šmihel in Novo Mesto. There were at least three rounds of shots. Most likely from a semi-automatic weapon.
We asked the police what happened. We will publish their answers when we receive them.
Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar will probably continue to parrot that we live in a safe country.
Unacceptable escalation of gun violence and the state’s powerlessness – call for immediate and decisive action
Silvo Mesojedec wrote to Prime Minister Robert Golob, Minister of Justice Andreja Katič, and Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar about the incident. He is the President of the Regional Civil Initiative for Solving Roma Issues (RCI) and an independent councillor of the Municipality Novo mesto. We are publishing the letter in its entirety below:
“Less than a month after the high-profile shooting in Dobruška vas, when a bullet endangered the life of a citizen in his own backyard, the story was repeated again yesterday. Another shooting, more fear, and further proof that the state is failing in this area. I am sending you a video clip that eloquently testifies to the reality we are living in.
This, however, is not an isolated case. Yesterday’s shooting in Žabjak, Novo Mesto, ten (10) recorded shootings in Prekmurje in one day, and similar events in Kočevje indicate a systematic and worrying pattern. The Roma population, clearly emboldened by your inaction, is openly challenging and intimidating.
The situation on the ground is alarming. The police, who should be the guarantors of security, have become powerless observers. Its members are trying hard, but they are systematically paralysed. The perpetrators, members of the Roma community, literally laugh in their faces, knowing full well that the police do not have the appropriate powers to take effective action. They skilfully hide their weapons, and the police, without the appropriate warrants for house searches, which the prosecution apparently issues too rarely and too late, are left empty-handed.
Every shot that rings out is a shot to the heart of the rule of law. Every time the police are unable to take action, the power of those who live outside the law is strengthened. This impotence of the system is not just an administrative problem – it is a direct threat to the safety of all citizens and a message to criminals that they can be carefree.
Will you really continue to delay action and wait for an innocent victim to fall due to a stray bullet? By then, it will be too late, and the responsibility will be completely yours.
With this letter and the attached video, I am not only asking for your attention, but also for immediate and concrete action!
- Provide the police with the tools they need! Change the legislation and procedures so that the police can quickly and effectively obtain warrants to investigate suspected weapons possession.
2. Put an end to the inefficiency of the prosecution service! Demand that the prosecution system stop bureaucratic delays and become a partner of the police in ensuring security, rather than an obstacle.
3. Establish zero tolerance! Prove with actions, not words, that the possession and use of illegal weapons in this country will not be tolerated.
Stop holding endless meetings and wasting time. It is time for effective and decisive action! People are frightened and fed up with your indifference. We expect you to finally take responsibility and protect your citizens.”
Moja Dolenjska / I. K.
