WARSAW, Poland — Poland's justice minister is bracing for more soccer hooligan violence this weekend between Polish and Russian fans at the European Championship, warning that there's no shortage of "cretins" willing to do battle on both sides.
Polish and Russian fans clashed in
several parts of Warsaw before and after a match between the two nations
on Tuesday. A few dozen people were injured and police arrested 184
people, mostly Poles. In one of the most violent incidents, police fired
rubber bullets and tear gas at young Polish men who attacked officers
with stones and bottles.
More than 20,000 Russians have tickets
for Saturday’s final group game with Greece in Warsaw, officials said.
Another 3,000 Russians are expected to watch the game in public spaces.
“We
are aware that there is no shortage of cretins and there may be cases
of behavior of a provocative character on the Polish side, as well as on
the Russian (side),” Justice Minister Joroslaw Gowin told reporters
Friday.
Gowin was critical of suspended sentences being handed out
by Polish courts to those arrested after Tuesday’s brawls. He said he
fears such leniency will only encourage further violence.
Warsaw police spokesman Maciej Karczynski said Friday that any violence would be met with strong police action.
Some
Polish officials feel the sentences were too lenient, and Foreign
Minister Radek Sikorski appealed Friday to the courts and prosecutors to
deal decisively with “hooligan banditry.”
