Riots and unrest in Korkina: Police respond to community tensions
Special units and police officers from the entire region are being brought to Korkina in the Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia. This deployment is in response to riots following the high-profile murder of a woman. Forty-year-old Elena Safronova, who worked as a taxi driver, was fatally stabbed.
The murder took place on the evening of 23rd October. The journey concluded in the Roma district, where the woman was reportedly stabbed multiple times. Two individuals have been detained in connection with the case - they are minors from the Roma community. One, a 17-year-old, has already been charged. The other teenager's involvement is still under investigation.
Riots in Russia. Residents aim for vigilante justice
A conflict erupted between residents and the Roma community. The alleged reason was the perceived police inaction regarding the murder. Even before official police findings were released, locals decided to take justice into their own hands. Dozens stormed into the Roma district. Masked individuals began destroying cars and setting houses ablaze.
As the situation escalated, channel Astra reported that members of the Roma diaspora were departing en masse for the neighbouring Yemanzhelinsk.
The enraged crowd is currently being managed by security forces. Units from the entire region are being brought to Korkina. The governor has been informed about the situation on the ground.
He confirmed that police officers, military personnel, and members of the Russian Guard are being dispatched to the scene.
Videos from local media show that there are already dozens of police vehicles present.
According to the portal ura.ru, the riots were preceded by numerous posts on Telegram channels and other chats, calling for "rescuing the innocent boys from police custody." Others called for revenge against them and the entire Roma community.
Security forces surrounded the home of the suspects, where dozens of people had gathered to pursue vigilante justice.
As of 8 PM Greenwich Time, around 20 people have been detained.
