Eleven youths arrested after attack in Wetzikon – mothers defend their sons
Following a brutal attack on a 14-year-old in Wetzikon, eleven youths have been arrested. Some parents appear overwhelmed, while others downplay the incident.
Wetzikon youth gang: eleven arrests after attack – parents minimise the offence
A video supplied to Blick shows a group of youths attacking 14-year-old Daniel T.* with kicks and blows to the head. One of the attackers holds what appears to be a replica firearm to the victim's head and films the incident. According to police, another is said to have carried a machete.
Shortly after Blick's reporting, in which the victim's father also spoke, a wave of arrests followed. As the Zurich public prosecutor's office confirms, eleven youths have now been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the attack.
"He is not a thug" – mother of arrested youth defends her son
Blick visited the mother of one of the arrested individuals several days after the incident. She confirmed that her son was involved in the act and is in custody – but did not want to hold him responsible: "In the video he even says the others should stop. He is not evil and not a thug!"
At the same time, she questioned the severity of the incident: "It was not that bad at all, and the victim was not seriously injured either." She described her son's detention as cheek.
According to police reports, however, the victim had to be admitted to hospital as he had sustained bruising, particularly in the head area. The group had threatened the youth with a machete and firearm; he cowered on the ground in mortal fear.
Father at Wetzikon station – son changes his statement
Blick also encountered the father of another suspected perpetrator at Wetzikon station. He initially appeared shocked and called his wife and son over. The son initially admitted to Blick that he had been involved, but insisted he had "done nothing". When asked why he had not called the police, he suddenly denied having been there at all. A day later he was arrested.
Investigation: arrests in several waves
As the Zurich cantonal police stated in a press release, a 16-year-old Portuguese youth initially turned himself in. The following day, police arrested three further suspects aged between 13 and 15. Following further investigations, seven more youths were apprehended. All suspects are aged between 13 and 16 and come from Switzerland, Eritrea, Kosovo and Portugal.
City president: "A sad peak"
Youth violence is not new for the city of Wetzikon. City president Pascal Bassu (57) told Blick: "There have been incidents before. This incident is a sad peak and affects us as a municipality." At least one of the youths has been barred from returning to his school class for the time being. Police will also increase their presence in known problem areas.
One such hotspot is Wetzikon station, where according to several passers-by, a group of around a dozen youths has been causing unrest for some time. Part of this group is said to have been involved in the attack on Daniel T. In recent days it has been noticeably quieter there.
Sentence still open – victim's father calls for consistent action
What sentences the perpetrators will face has not yet been decided. Since some of those arrested are under 15 years of age, they are likely to receive lenient sanctions such as community service. The older participants, however, must reckon with fines or prison sentences.
The victim's father poses an uncomfortable question to Blick: whether it will take a death before action is taken consistently.
Particularly alarming: some youths are said to have actively shown around the attack video and bragged about being there.
Name changed
Source: Blick