Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov stated he was not expecting clashes during tonight’s protest in Voivodinovo village in Plovdiv region, southern Bulgaria, which will, this time, be joined by military personnel.

Tensions in the village mounted after, on 6 January, two young men from the Roma ghetto in the village beat up a 33-year old special forces corporal. The two are in custody. Later, at the insistence of people living in the village, an operation for the demolition of illegal buildings in the Roma neighbourhood was launched. In Karakachanov’s words the situation in Voivodinovo is calm, and people are pleased with the action taken by law enforcement authorities. The protests are organized in solidarity with the man assaulted.