Four minors ordered to juvenile correctional home after attack on 13-year-old in Gjorche Petrov

The Criminal Court has imposed juvenile correctional placements on four girls who were accused of beating a 13-year-old in the Skopje municipality of Gjorche Petrov. Two of the minors were ordered to serve one year in an educational-correctional home, while the other two were sentenced to eight months. The court's decision is not final.

"Regarding the case of violence against a minor from Gjorche Petrov, given that these are minors and the procedure is secret, we can confirm that the case is finished at first instance and a correctional-educational measure was imposed — placement in an educational-correctional home, one year for two children and 8 months for two children," the Criminal Court said.

Three of the accused are 14 years old and one is 17; they were suspected of assaulting a 13-year-old girl in two separate incidents. The minors were prosecuted for violence, but the proceedings were conducted under the Law on Justice for Children.

Incidents and evidence

According to the criminal complaint, the attacks took place on 27 and 30 March. Video footage and photographs of the assaults were later shared on a social network, which prompted official action.

Authorities clarified that two of the accused were not students at Mirche Acev school but attended the local chemical high school and another elementary school within the Gjorche Petrov municipality. After the case became public, the victim continued her schooling from home and ten other pupils were given disciplinary sanctions.

The Ministry of Education recommended introducing duty teachers as a preventive measure. Police also filed six criminal charges for neglect and mistreatment of a child against the parents of the minors who committed the violence. The first-instance ruling can still be appealed or reviewed under juvenile procedure rules.

Photo: press material from the event