Poland’s Ambassador in Russia, Wojciech Zajaczkowski, said on Wednesday that violence which flared at a march by Russian fans in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on June 12, was instigated by local “pseudo-fans”.
The violence broke out during a march by Russian fans through the city, ahead of the Euro 2012 match between the two nations at Warsaw's National Stadium. Zajaczkowski said about 7,000 Russians took part in the march.
“I have information obtained from the Polish Interior Ministry today at 9 am Moscow time. Not only Warsaw police but officers from other cities were securing peace. Police were aware of what to expect. All in all, 179 people were detained, 153 Polish citizens, 24 of them – Russians, one Hungarian and one Spaniard. Police actions were decisive and professional,” Zajaczkowski said.
Earlier reports put the number of Russian detainees at 13.
A German, two Russians and eight Poles were injured in the clashes, Polish police spokesman Mariusz Sokolovski said.
“I would like to stress that the majority of detained football fans [both Russians and Poles] are regular people, they were peacefully heading to their homes. Unfortunately, there were people among them who came with the intention to instigate conflict,” Sokolovski said.
He emphasized that police prevented radical football fans who arrived to Warsaw from other Polish cities from gathering together. “They acted in groups of about 20 people, we managed to avoid a large-scale brawl.”
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko called the incident “weird” and added that Russians injured in the clashes in Warsaw received aid form the Russian embassy and the Russian Interior Ministry. But Mutko also questioned the safety of Russians in Poland.
"I wonder why there is so much aggression towards the Russian fans? People are not feeling safe at all. A regular Russian family is strolling around the city and then a crowd suddenly pops up and attacks them…How would Russians live in Poland for the remaining four days?” the minister said.
