Ethnic Violence In Ukrainian City Turns Deadly
July 03, 2009
KYIV -- Security measures have been strengthened and a criminal case has been launched after an ethnic conflict left one policeman dead in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Marhanets, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.
A fight between Ukrainian and ethnic Armenian gangs at a bar resulted in injuries and the death of one policeman.
Since the gang fight, there has been mass disorder, racist attacks, and the houses and cars of Armenian residents have been set alight.
Some Armenian families have left the city.
Additional police forces and special security forces are patrolling the town to maintain order and prevent further violence from breaking out.
The reason for the ethnic conflict in Marhanets, a city of some 50,000 people, is unclear.