Teenagers abuse refugee, film act
Five teenagers suspected of savagely beating refugee in abandoned Jaffa house. Video of act found on one of the suspects' cell phone
Police suspect that five teenage boys, ages 14-16, severely assaulted an African refugee in Jaffa, Ynet learned Thursday.
The abuse was filmed on a mobile phone belonging to one of the suspects and was discovered by chance.
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According to the police investigation, several weeks ago the five suspects led the man into an abandoned house in Jaffa, and for reasons not yet determined by the police started to threaten and humiliate him.
Later, the boys started to physically assault him, beating him with their bare hands and feat, as well as with sticks, for several minutes. In spite of the man's begging, the boys refused to stop. Police said this was one of the most shocking incidents they have witnessed lately.
The five boys were arrested only after one of them was brought in for questioning regarding a cell phone theft. When the officers demanded to see the phone they were appalled to discover videos documenting the alleged abuse, as well as animal abuse and even a documented act of throwing a firecracker at an elderly person.
The suspects are still in police custody. A police official told Ynet: "This was pointless hooliganism." The Police believes that the refugee was too afraid to lodge a complaint and the attempts to locate him are ongoing.
Attorneys Shay Tovim and Shadi Kabaha, representing one of the suspects said in a statement: "Our client denies any involvement in the attack and has been traumatized since his arrest.
"We hope he will be released by Friday, together with the rest of the suspects who had nothing to do with this case."
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