Numerous French newspapers report an escalated conflict between two Rroma families, in an illegal settlement of Toulouse. The members of the two families, originally from the Romanian village Blaj and of Timisoara, quarrelled about the theft of electricity. At the beginning, the conflict let to a brawl that then escalated further: a 35-year-old Rrom of the Blaj family fell, victim of the dispute. Six members of Timisoara family were arrested on suspicion of premeditated murder: “A man of 35 years died in the hospital of Rangueil. Despite an urgently undertaken intervention, the doctors could not save him. His autopsy could not yet be performed, but the man had been hit by several projectiles, bullets or, and (?) lead. Another 24 years old casualty remains hospitalised, but is outside danger. Five other injured people who were taken to hospital to receive treatment could go home. During the hearing of the ten people arrested on Friday (two minors were released yesterday), the suspects were not very precise. Although some admitted having used weapons, these were “only” used to shoot in the air. The investigative judge, Mrs Larrieu, will have to narrow down the responsibilities of both parties involved” (Cohadon 2014). In this case, the coverage of the violence in the informal settlement of Toulouse concerns only Rroma themselves. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in the contextualization of the events: the notion of Rroma-gangs, who exploit primarily other Rroma, is wrong. There is no culture of crime and violence among the minority, as repeatedly suggested by the media. Expressions such as “family businesses of crime” therefore build on massive prejudices. Rroma are not more criminal or more violent than other ethnic groups. The mayor of Toulose, Jean-Luc Moudenc, has announced that the camp, which accommodates 200 to 250 persons, will be evicted as soon as possible (compare 20 Minutes France 2014, Allen 2014, Boffet 2014, Le Parisien 2014, Le Nouvel Observateur 2014, Libération 2014).
- 20 Minutes France (2014) Toulouse: Six personnes mises en examen pour meurtre après la rixe dans un camp de Roms. In: 20 Minutes online vom 20.10.2014. http://www.20minutes.fr/toulouse/1464087-20141020-toulouse-six-personnes-mises-examen-meurtre-apres-rixe-camp-roms
- Allen, Peter (2014) Man shot dead in mass Roma brawl on illegal camp site in France following row about stealing electricity. In: Daily Mail online vom 19.10.2014. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2799292/man-shot-dead-mass-roma-brawl-illegal-camp-site-france-following-row-stealing-electricity.html
- Boffet, Laurence (2014) Toulouse : six personnes mises en examen pour homicide volontaire après la rixe dans un camp de Roms. In: France 3 Midi-Pyrénées online vom 20.10.2014. http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/midi-pyrenees/2014/10/20/toulouse-six-personnes-mises-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-apres-la-rixe-dans-un-camp-de-roms-574742.html
- Cohadon, Jean (2014) Bagarre dans un camp de Roms : six mises en examen pour meurtre. In: La Dépêche online vom 20.10.2014. http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2014/10/20/1975627-bagarre-camp-roms-six-mises-examen-meurtre.html
- Le Parisien (2014) Rixe entre Roms à Toulouse: un mort et douze blessés. In: Le Parisien online vom 17.10.2014. http://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/rixe-entre-roms-a-toulouse-un-mort-et-au-moins-six-blesses-graves-17-10-2014-4220975.php
- Le Nouvel Observateur (2014) Toulouse : 1 mort et 3 blessés lors d’une rixe entre Roms. In: Le Nouvel Observateur online vom 17.10.2014. http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20141017.OBS2469/toulouse-1-mort-et-3-blesses-lors-d-une-rixe-entre-roms.html
- Libération (2014) Toulouse: une rixe entre familles de Roms fait un mort et 12 blessés. In: Libération online vom 17.10.2014. http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2014/10/17/toulouse-un-mort-trois-blesses-dans-une-rixe-entre-roms_1124168