BANSKÁ BYSTRICA
10 Romany graves were damaged by a group of unknown vandals during the night of January 24 in Banská Bystrica. Tombstones were broken to pieces, flower and candle holders were destroyed and plants were uprooted during the assault on the graves.
"This was not an accident," said one local Romany to the daily paper Sme. The man had discovered the crime and had asked to remain anonymous, fearing potential future attacks on himself and his family. "The fact that our graves, in particular, were destroyed is not a coincidence," he said.
The man claimed that the Romany community of the Banská Bystrica 'Senica District has been repeatedly attacked by skinheads from neighbouring districts. "The issue here is more than material damage," he added. "This is an assault on Romany dignity."
