Macedonian Interior Ministry stated that 17 policemen were injured in a clash between the special police forces and the inhabitants of the Roma settlement of Suto Orizari in Skopje on April 15.

The conflict broke out when trade inspection attempted to close a major part of the market in the settlement, where most of the merchandise is smuggled.

Because of protests of the owners of goods, there have been a number of incidents between the inspectors and the traders, after which the inspectors called for special police forces as backup.

The conflict escalated when the majority of the population of Suto Orizari began hurling stones, bricks and bottles at the special police, after which the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

There is no information about whether any of the inhabitants of Suto Orizari were wounded.

The chief of the Suto Orizari municipality, Elvir Bajram, arrived on the scene. He urged the police to withdraw, after which the situation calmed down, the market was closed and the owners complained to reporters that their goods had been seized.

The situation in the Roma settlement of Suto Orizari is now calm.