Chaos in Chelyabinsk: Riot erupts after taxi driver's murder
Special units and police officers from across the region are being deployed to Korkina in the Chelyabinsk Oblast in Russia. This is in response to riots following the high-profile murder of a woman. Forty-year-old Elena Safronova, who worked as a taxi driver, died from stab wounds.
3:22 PM EDT, October 24, 2024
The woman's murder occurred on the evening of October 23. The ride ended in the Roma district, and she was reportedly stabbed several times. Two minors from the Roma community have been detained in connection with the case. One of them, a 17-year-old, has already been charged. The other teenager's involvement in the murder is still under investigation.
Riots in Russia: Residents seek to carry out vigilante justice
A conflict arose between residents and the Roma community. The dissatisfaction stemmed from perceived police inaction regarding the murder. Even before the police released official findings, locals decided to take justice into their own hands. Dozens of people stormed into the Roma district. Masked individuals began destroying cars and setting houses on fire.
As the situation started spiraling out of control, channel Astra reported that members of the Roma diaspora were leaving en masse for the neighboring town of Yemanzhelinsk.
Currently, security forces are working to restrain the enraged crowd. Units from across the region are being brought to Korkina. The regional governor has been informed about the situation on the ground.
He confirmed that police officers, military personnel, and members of the Russian Guard are being deployed to the scene.
Videos published by local media show that dozens of police vehicles are already at the scene.
According to the portal ura.ru, the riots were preceded by numerous posts on Telegram channels and other chats calling to "rescue the innocent boys from police hands." Meanwhile, others called for revenge against them and the entire Roma community.
Security forces have surrounded the home of the suspects, where dozens of people had gathered to attempt vigilante justice.
As of 3 PM Eastern Time, about 20 people have been detained.
