A serious investigation of the reasons for the fight between Bulgarians and Roma people in Sofia on the night of August 13 2007 was needed, Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said.

The controversy is said to have erupted when 30 skinheads beat three Roma people. The beaten Roma people called for support, and nearly 200 joined the fight. Police officers denied the information saying that less than 30 people participated in the fight.

All measures needed for normalisation of the situation and prevention of further problems have been introduced, Stanishev said as quoted by Focus news agency.
According to Stanishev, the Roma population felt threatened that skinheads would beat them.

Everyone in this country has its rights and obligations, regardless of their origin, and the public order should be kept, the PM said.

President Georgi Purvanov called on implementation of the full stringency of the law in the case. Purvanov refused to take a side, but said that the problem should be resolved fast because the situation could cause ethnic tensions.

An investigation for hooliganism by unknown perpetrator was launched in the case, Focus said.