Tetovo: two 11-year-olds reportedly targeted by group checking for FK Teteks insignia
Parent says two 11-year-olds were attacked in Tetovo centre; Tetovo Police Department says passers-by intervened and videos circulating include older footage.
Two 11-year-old children in the centre of Tetovo were allegedly singled out and harassed by a group of older minors on Wednesday evening, a parent who posted about the incident on social media said.
According to the parent’s account, five juveniles aged about 13–14 approached the children, grabbed them by the throat and began removing their jackets to check whether they were wearing shirts or insignia of the FK Teteks supporters' group known as "Vojvodi". One of the assailants reportedly filmed the episode with a mobile phone and similar clips were later posted to a TikTok profile that shares footage of beatings around Tetovo.
Police statement and ongoing checks
“The Tetovo Police Department informs the public regarding video materials shared on some social networks that refer to last night’s incident involving several minors that, according to information from the Tetovo Police Department, last night several minors attempted to approach two 11-year-old persons with the intent to check whether their clothing contains insignia of a supporters’ group, at which point passers-by intervened and no physical contact occurred. The Tetovo Police Department informs the public that the videos being shared in some media are not from last night’s event, but are recordings from other earlier incidents. Police officers from the Tetovo Police Department are taking measures to fully clarify the case, identify those involved and establish all details, with special focus on prevention of any forms of interethnic, international or sports intolerance among young people. We appeal to the public for responsible sharing of information and avoidance of posting unverified video materials that can cause unrest among citizens,” the Tetovo Police Department said in a statement.
The police statement denies that physical contact occurred in the episode described by the parent and says some widely circulated clips are from previous events. Tetovo police say officers are working to identify those involved and to establish the facts.
The parent who posted on Facebook appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take appropriate measures to stop further incidents of interethnic tension involving young people in Tetovo. Local residents and community activists have in recent years expressed concern about viral videos showing fights among minors; this complaint adds pressure on authorities to clarify whether the latest clip is a new attack or a re-shared recording.
Photo: SDK.MK)
