A squabble between two gypsy families in Loja, in the Poniente de Granada, was settled by the Council of the Elders – a rarely used mediation measure.

The problem had begun when a 61-year-old woman from the Alfaguara area of the town was shot by a member of another clan and wounded in the leg, but she was not the only person injured; three others were injured in the squabble.

The dispute had begun as a simply argument on Calle Moreno; one of many between rival clans. In this case, a father and two adult sons belonging to Los Rubios clan, armed with shotguns at 23.55h one Saturday night, approached the house of the El Villar clan, where La Suegra (mother-in-law) lived.

According to eye witnesses, they began firing from the top of the street and managed to shoot the matriarch of the opposing clan. The same witnesses say, Another person was wounded in the eye, although nobody was treated for such an injury at the medical centre or hospital.

Of the three arrested family members, it was the eldest son, called El Coke, who is believed to have started the dispute.

Anyway, the case is that the El Villar clan approached the Council of Elders, which is made up of Gypsy patriarchs from both Granada and Málaga, calling for the Los Rubios clan to be expelled from Loja. In the end, after thoughtful deliberation, the Council decided to expel just one of the clan and then only for one month. Neither side is happy, but the decision of the clan is never disputed and deemed as final.

(News: Loja, Poniente de Granada, Andalucia)