Thursday, June 19, 2008

BOSNIA RAISES SECURITY FOR TURKEY-CROATIA FOOTBALL MATCH

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (June 19,2008) - Bosnian authorities have ordered police in some areas of Bosnia where a significant number of Croatians lives,to beef up security ahead of the Euro 2008 quarter-final between Turkey and Croatia.

It was presumed that while Croatians living in Bosnia would support their compatriots, Bosnians will root for Turkey at Friday's match which takes place in Vienna,Austria.

Concerned that football may provide a spark for violence amid old tensions, an extra 700 police, including commandos, were raised to secure order in hotspots such as the city of Mostar in southern Bosnia.

During the 2006 World Cup, a massive street brawl followed Croatia's match against Brasil in Mostar, when Bosnians from the eastern section of Mostar marched to taunt Croatians living in the western part of the city.

Six policemen were injured, 30 people arrested and many cars and buildings were damaged.

Tighter security was also ordered in Bosnian prisons, where trouble also routinely follows sport events.
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