Fourteen-year-old brutally beaten in Podgorica, police searching for perpetrators

A 14-year-old boy was beaten up on Thursday evening, shortly after 9 p.m., in the Masline neighborhood, and was attacked by a group of peers aged 14 to 17, the family of the beaten boy told "Vijesti".

The boy was diagnosed with a fracture of the cheekbone, nose, and...

The Police Directorate told the editorial staff that police officers are taking intensive measures and actions to identify and find the persons who attacked the minor and caused him injuries, as well as to fully investigate the incident.

"In this regard, statements were taken from several people at the police station. The case is under investigation," the Police Directorate responded.

The family of the beaten fourteen-year-old says it was a "brutal and unprovoked attack," stating that the boy "did not cause any conflict, had no previous contact with the attackers, nor did he know them."

"Despite this, he was attacked on the street for no reason and suffered severe and serious injuries," claims the family, whose identity is known to the editorial staff.

They state that after the attack, the fourteen-year-old was urgently transported to the Clinical Center, "where he was diagnosed with serious physical injuries."

"He suffered a fractured jaw, a fractured eye and cheekbone, a shattered nose, and severe injuries to his upper and lower lips, which had to be surgically repaired with stitches. He also has numerous hematomas and injuries to his head, neck, and back, as a result of multiple blows," they said.

They point out that "it is particularly concerning that a group of approximately 15 minors participated in the attack on a fourteen-year-old boy, leaving him with injuries that will require a long recovery, further medical treatment, and recovery from the trauma he suffered."

"As a family, we are going through an extremely difficult time, watching a child struggle with the pain and consequences of violence that he did not cause or deserve. Therefore, we appeal to the competent institutions to urgently and thoroughly investigate this case, determine the responsibility of all participants and take measures provided for by law. We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking justice. We are asking for a clear message to be sent that violence among children and young people will not be tolerated and that every child has the right to feel safe in their city, their neighborhood and on the street," the boy's family said.

They appealed to the public "not to turn a blind eye to peer violence and to support the fight against such events, so that no other family faces what our family is going through today."

"We expect the competent authorities to shed light on all the circumstances of this brutal attack and for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with the law," the family from Podgorica appealed.