Two boys, aged 12 and 13, who allegedly killed a homeless man for refusing to beg and supply them with money have been detained by the police.
The suspects, who have not been named, battered Petr Balika, 58, for several hours before he died in slow agony, according to reports.
The savage attack occurred in the city of Izmail, southern Ukraine after the youngsters led the harmless man to a deserted place, police said.
The duo reportedly attacked Balika not far from the local Swan Lake after making sure there was nobody around.
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Two boys in Ukraine aged 12 and 13 allegedly killed Petr Balika, 58, (pictured) who was battered for several hours before he died in slow agony in the city of Izmail on March 28
A police video shows a child, who is believed to be one of the suspects, revealing the details of the assault as saying: ‘We forced him [Balika] to go with us to the reeds and punched him in the face.
‘He fell onto the ground. We started kicking him to the stomach and all over the body.
‘Then we found sticks and beat him up with them.’
The victim’s naked and mutilated dead body was found by a local resident, who was walking his dog, in the early morning hours on March 28.
The shocked man called emergency services and examinations showed not a single rib of the victim remained intact.
A police video shows a child, who is believed to be one of the suspects, revealing the details of the assault
The suspects have not reached the age of criminal responsibility which is 14 in Ukraine. It is understood they were let go home after their confessions were documented by detectives
Forensic said Balika died from multiple traumatic injuries to his head and abdomen after being exposed to violent beating for hours.
‘His death was slow and painful,’ experts said.
Police and forensics have yet to find out for what purpose the alleged killers took off all the clothes from their victim.
In the video, the younger suspect can be heard explaining the motive of the crime to a detective saying: ‘We approached him [Balika] and told him to ask some money from passers-by.
‘We needed that money to buy some sweets.
‘He refused [to fulfil the demand].’
Forensic said Balika died from multiple traumatic injuries to his head and abdomen after being exposed to violent beating for hours. Pictured: A stick covered in blood which was allegedly used to beat Balika to death
Pictured: Police found Balika’s clothes lying on the ground during their investigation. It is not yet clear why the alleged killers removed his clothing
Law enforcement is investigating the case as ‘deliberate grievous bodily harm that resulted in death’.
A police spokesman confirmed: ‘According to evidence, found at the scene, the homeless man was killed by two suspects, aged 12 and 13.’
The suspects have not reached the age of criminal responsibility which is 14 in Ukraine.
It is understood they were let go home after their confessions were documented by detectives.
A court is to decide whether to place them into a detention centre for minors who committed grave crimes for the duration of the investigation.
During police interviews, the suspects revealed that they had allegedly killed Balika after approaching him to beg for money they could then use for sweets because he refused
A court is to decide whether to place the two boys into a detention centre for minors who committed grave crimes for the duration of the investigation
The local prosecutor’s office says it will ask the court to apply coercive educational measures to the suspects if their guilt is proven.
Petr Balika, a car mechanic in the past, was known as a harmless and sociable person and lived in an abandoned theatre in the centre of the city.
Local youth created an Instagram page where they posted his pictures, calling him ‘a city landmark’.
The suspects have repeatedly come to the attention of the police for theft, according to reports.