Vigilante schoolchildren ambush alleged child predator in Czech forest

Police in South Moravia are investigating an attack in which a group of four schoolchildren lured a man into a forest and beat him. According to media reports and indications from police, the man had been communicating online with a 13-year-old girl. 

The incident occurred near the town of Blansko and involved at least four minors, authorities say. A video published Sunday by CNN Prima News appears to show the children shoving and punching the man before kicking him to the ground and striking him with their fists and a baton. He eventually managed to get up and run toward a nearby path to escape the attackers.

CNN Prima reported the man had been texting a 13-year-old girl, who allegedly lured him to the forest where the assault took place. The children beating the man are presumed to be the girl’s friends, though it is not fully clear whether the person messaging the man was indeed a 13-year-old girl, or a decoy. Police did not disclose when the attack occurred. 

Czech police have implied that the man had been communicating with a minor in a sexual or coercive manner. “The case is classified as endangering the upbringing of a child: interrogations and other procedural steps are underway,” police spokesman Pavel Šváb told the media. However, the police stated that the incident's "legal classification" may change during the investigation; nobody has yet been charged.

Authorities say the incident came to light when a woman saw a video of the attack being circulated around social networks online.

“At this point, we have identified the participants in the conflict and are working to fully clarify it,” he continued. “Given that minors are involved, we are also cooperating with the social and legal protection of the children.” The faces of everyone involved in the video have been blurred.

In July this year, President Petr Pavel signed into law a new mandatory registry that will prohibit individuals convicted of sexual offenses or serious violent crimes from working with minors in professions such as teaching, coaching, pediatrics, and social services.

Those guilty of crimes carrying a maximum sentence of more than five years will remain on the list until the age of 100, while lesser offenses will result in a 20-year ban.