The trace of the Tajik police in the mass brawl of Tajiks in Poland

After a mass brawl involving Tajik migrants in Warsaw, three natives of Tajikistan have been detained, one hospitalized with serious injuries.

The incident occurred on the night of February 27 to 28 at a gas station in the Wola district of the Polish capital. Two groups of Tajik citizens got into a scuffle. A 36-year-old man sustained a severe head injury and was taken to the hospital.

The Warsaw police conducted operational measures and detained three men aged between 25 and 36. All of them are citizens of Tajikistan.

According to the Wola district police, as part of the investigation, a vehicle used by the suspects was seized, as well as an item presumably used to inflict serious bodily harm. The investigation is ongoing.

Social media and Polish media published the first video from the scene. The footage shows several Tajik migrants, presumably taxi drivers, gathered at the gas station. One man is lying on the ground with a bloodied face.

The video author points out several participants in the conflict and calls them “terrorists,” adding: “If God wills, they will all be sent back to Tajikistan.” One of those present replies: “We are not terrorists.” Then an unknown person with a metal rod or pipe in hand attacks the operator, subsequently breaking the windows of a Lexus vehicle. The attacker then addresses the video author, saying: “Are you threatening us?” The author then approaches the man lying on the ground and asks: “Who beat Umar?”

From the published footage, it is impossible to determine the reasons for the conflict. Later, information emerged that the footage showed a continuation of the conflict.

Azda.tv has received text messages and two more video recordings that apparently shed light on the events leading up to the brawl.

According to one message, a day before the incident, Umar (presumably the man who was injured) met with two individuals to whom he owed more than $10,000. The parties agreed that his vehicle would remain as collateral until the debt was repaid.

However, then two men appeared, introducing themselves as law enforcement officers from Tajikistan. They arrived in two Lexus vehicles, blocked the road, and threatened the men with murder, deportation, and reprisals against their families upon their return to Tajikistan. It is also reported that a minor child was in the car at the time of the conflict.

Individuals who identified themselves as employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan

After this, the fake police and Umar invited creditors to a gas station supposedly to resolve the debt issue, however, they attacked using gas (presumably referring to a gas pipe. Ed. note). At the end of the incident, the fake police recorded the situation on video. The footage shows an operator and a person standing next to the lying Umar — these are the same fake police,” the message states.

The video recordings capture two men introducing themselves as law enforcement officers from Tajikistan and threatening the creditors, claiming that “you will get your money at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.”

One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Azda.tv that Umar owes many people.

“This Umar – the one who owes – has done this to many. He has repeatedly borrowed money and not returned it, and then with the help of acquaintances posing as employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, he intimidated Tajik migrants, accusing them of opposition activities or links to terrorism,” our interlocutor reported.

At the moment, there is no officially confirmed information regarding the motives of the conflict and its exact circumstances. The detained individuals and the victim have also not commented on the incident.

The Embassy of Tajikistan in Germany and other official structures of the country have not yet commented on the statements that the participants in the incident posed as law enforcement officers of Tajikistan. It is also unknown whether the mentioned individuals have any relation to the law enforcement agencies of the republic.

Azda.tv continues to monitor the situation and will report new details as they become available.