A schoolgirl was grabbed by the hair, spat on, forced to kneel... Police: "We are investigating eight girls"

A group of girls allegedly subjected another minor to physical abuse and humiliation outside a primary school in Zagreb earlier this June, according to police who confirmed they are investigating eight individuals in connection with the incident. The alleged victim was reportedly pulled by her hair, spat upon, and forced to kneel while being verbally abused by the other girls. The incident has sparked concern among local authorities and community groups, prompting a criminal investigation into the case. The incident occurred in early June, though the exact date remains unspecified. According to reports, the alleged victim was surrounded by a larger group of girls who forced her to kneel on the ground. One of the perpetrators reportedly told the girl to apologize for calling her uneducated and for insulting her, but the apology was deemed insufficient. As a result, the girl had to repeat the phrase multiple times before being allowed to leave. However, the harassment did not end there. After she attempted to exit the school grounds, one of the girls followed her to “fix” her eyelash, leading to further physical attacks and pulling of her hair. The video footage of the incident, which circulated widely through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, showed the alleged victim being physically assaulted by more than one girl. Zagreb police confirmed they were informed of the incident on the same day it occurred and immediately launched a criminal investigation. Initially, four girls were identified and investigated, and the findings were shared with the Municipal Prosecution Office in Zagreb and the Croatian Institute for Social Work. Following further inquiries, the police expanded their investigation to include four additional girls, bringing the total number under scrutiny to eight. These findings were communicated to the same institutions, including the Municipal Prosecution Office and the Croatian Institute for Social Work, through a supplementary report. School officials at the institution where the incident took place stated they have no knowledge of the identities of the children involved. They emphasized that they have reported the case to the appropriate authorities, as is required by law. In addition, one of the girls involved in the incident reportedly threatened Helena Ančić, president of the Parents for Children association, via Facebook Messenger. The message warned Ančić to delete a post detailing the incident in Sesvetama, stating, “We will break you too.” This threat has been brought to the attention of the police. The incident has raised serious concerns about peer-on-peer violence and the role of social media in amplifying such behavior. Local authorities have been alerted, and the Croatian Institute for Social Work is reportedly involved in assessing the situation. The police continue their investigation into all eight suspects, focusing on the nature of the alleged offenses and potential legal consequences. The school has not commented publicly on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, but has reiterated its commitment to cooperating fully with the relevant institutions. The case highlights the challenges faced by schools and communities in addressing bullying and peer violence, particularly when such incidents gain traction online. Authorities have yet to provide further updates on the status of the investigation or any actions taken against the individuals involved. The police have indicated that the inquiry remains ongoing, with no immediate resolution expected.