Police decline investigation after three girls assault minor in Šiauliai

Police will not open a pretrial investigation after three teenage girls assaulted a minor in Šiauliai and filmed the incident, LRT reported. The footage, recorded near the Akropolis shopping centre, spread on social media over the weekend.

The video shows the girls each punching the victim in the head on a landing in a rear stairwell. One of them also kicks her in the stomach. At least two other teenagers watch from the stairs while a third films the assault.

The incident was recorded at the beginning of the summer. Relatives of the victim later uploaded the footage to a popular social media group, where it was shared by hundreds of people.

The video had first been sent to the victim, a Šiauliai girl who was attacked on June 18 in Beržynėlis Park in the city’s southern district. An acquaintance punched her in the stomach and later sent her the recording, asking whether she would contact the police.

The girl showed the messages to her mother, who contacted police. Officers received the report on June 19 and reviewed the footage, questioned the participants’ parents and assessed the available information.

Police determined that the alleged attackers were girls born in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while the victim was born in 2013.

However, officers decided on June 26 not to open a pretrial investigation. Police said the girls were under 16 and therefore could not be held criminally liable for public order violations or minor bodily harm. Criminal liability for such offences applies to people aged 16 and over.

The information was forwarded to the Šiauliai County child rights protection division and the Šiauliai Municipal Child Welfare Commission. The parents of the alleged attackers received official written warnings, while the material was submitted for consideration of minimum supervision measures. Information was also passed to the Child Rights Protection Service.

The victim was advised to seek compensation for material and non-material damage through the courts.

In a public statement issued on Monday afternoon, Šiauliai County Police said violence was not a way to resolve conflicts and urged adults to discuss respectful behaviour, non-violent conflict resolution and responsibility with children.