Chechen-Vietnamese event for the Warsaw fair hall

On 5 May, dramatic events took place at the 6D Modlińska buying Centre in Warsaw. Early in the morning, a group of armed men entered the hall by force to remove Vietnamese traders. This incidental is the culmination of a month-long dispute between buyers and the property manager.

The 6D Modlińska buying Centre was opened in late October 2024, attracting many merchants, including a crucial number of Vietnamese who moved there after the hall fire on Maryvilska Street. Initially low rental rates were offered, which contributed to the fast filling of the facility. In time, however, the manager, Mirtan, decided to rise his rent, which was met with opposition from tenants.

In addition, the inspections carried out by the PINB and the fire department showed a number of irregularities, specified as blocking of emergency exits, illegal gas-electric installations and hard access to hydrants. Therefore, on 16 April 2025, the Mazowiecki Provincial Building Supervisory Authority issued a decision to immediately close the hall.

Around 6:00 a.m. on May 5, a group of about 30 men identified as Chechnya entered the hall at 6D Modlinska Street. Inside, there were Vietnamese traders who carried out inventory. The attackers utilized pepper spray and forcibly removed the buyers from the facility. They then blocked the entrance gates, preventing the traders from returning inside. As a consequence of the clash, 2 Vietnamese were transported to the hospital.

Police arrived, but their intervention was limited. The commander of the Warsaw-Białołęka police station, deputy-inspector Marcin Chyczewski, initially announced mediation talks, but later refused to contact the buyers, which was met with their outrage.

The merchants claim that they hold final judgments of the courts of 2 instances which let them to operate in the hall. However, the owner of the facility, Mirtan, argues that the decisions of the court are contrary to the order of the Mazowieckie Provincial Building Supervision, which ordered the hall to be closed due to a safety risk.

Sebastian Bogusz, a typical of Mirtan, stated that closing the hall was essential for the safety of people. He accused merchants of ignoring regulations and warnings, as well as making self-made alterations in the hall.