A 13-year-old boy is dead after a reported argument led to multiple others beating him and setting him on fire in Russia.
Albert Umbetyarov was locked in a shed in the woods of Dubovaya Roschcha region, Moscow, following an argument on Friday. According to a witness, the assailants severely beat him with bats, soaked him in gas, and then set the shed on fire.
The attackers, reportedly aged 13 to 15, were captured on camera by a group of girls who later shared the footage online, Express UK reports. Another witness suggested that the attack was motivated by envy after the victim, a successful judo athlete, was outperforming the attackers.
“There was a fight; one of the younger children who witnessed it said that the victim was beaten at his knees so he couldn’t run, or even walk,” a witness said.
Alexey, who identified himself as the father of one of Albert’s friends, said his son left the scene but later returned to see the victim had burned to death.
“At 7 p.m. he called me in tears,” Alexey, said, DailyMail reports. ‘He told me: ‘My friend burned to death in the shed.’ I went there. I saw the flames. There was no one to be rescued by that time.”
The victim’s judo coach, Alexander Tvanba, reportedly said that Albert was likely unconscious during the fire since he was strong to get himself out of the shed if he were responsive.
The Russian Investigative Committee released a statement following the incident.
“On May 19, 2023 children during a quarrel shut a boy inside a shed, locked the shed from outside, and nailed the door. Next a fire started. According to preliminary findings, [the fire started] inside the shed. Children could not open the door, and asked for help. When help arrived, the boy’s body was found inside the burned shed.”
Police have not revealed the identities of the other children involved or whether anyone has been arrested.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Albert Umbetyarov/Handout]
