2023-08-23 14:11:00
A complaint for attempted murder, assault and battery as well as harassment will be brought once morest the parents of the minors involved in the beating of a teenager in Zelzate (East Flanders) whose videos have been widely circulated on social networks, said the lawyer for the victim and his parents, Me Abderrahim Lahlali. One of the videos notably showed a boy forced to kiss the feet of a gang of young people while being beaten. The case caused a great stir.
Humiliating beating filmed in Zelzate: suspects identified, a minor placed in a closed institution
“This is a complaint once morest X, but it is clear that instead of lecturing their children, the parents attacked my client (the half-sister of the victim, editor’s note.)”, justifies Me Lahlali. The lawyer defends the family of the 13-year-old boy who was filmed forcibly kissing the feet of a gang of youths while being beaten. Told by the victim, his elderly half-sister 16-year-old went to seek explanations, along with a 15-year-old friend, from a group of individuals held responsible.
‘Kiss our feet’: Images of humiliating beating outrage internet, police investigate
“According to my estimates, the small group was made up of at least ten people: teenagers, but also an older man, a mother and other young adults. I just wanted to ask them to behave normally”, details Wednesday the half-sister at the Laatste Nieuws.
“I was told to mind my own business. […] These people laughed at me. […] Suddenly, I saw my friend being pushed by the mother of one of the youngsters. […] The whole group began to surround him. I tried to get in the way, but a boy in a blue Chelsea tracksuit held me down before lifting me up and throwing me to the ground. He then knelt down next to me and squeezed my throat tightly. He strangled me,” she adds.
A minor placed in a closed institution
The complaint will be filed at the end of the week, says the lawyer. The East Flanders prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday that four minors had been identified. A minor was placed in a closed institution by the youth judge, two other suspects are under house arrest. A fourth will have to report to the prosecution in the coming days. The investigation is continuing to identify other people involved.
Illustration picture shows a protest march organised by former mayor of Zelzate Frank Bruggeman in the wake of the bullying videos that have surfaced in recent days, in Zelzate, Tuesday 22 August 2023. The videos on social media showing young people being beaten and humiliated senselessly caused quite an outcry in recent days. BELGA PHOTO NICHOLAS DE COCKER
Following these unacceptable facts, two marches were organized on Tuesday and Wednesday to promote a stricter policy in the fight once morest harassment.
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