Elham Asaad Buaras
Two 13-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the racist assault on an Asian schoolboy that was posted online with the words, “Smash a P*ki”.
Anti-racism campaigners described the attack in which took place in wooded area between Bughtlin Park and Stuart Park in the Drum Brae area of Edinburgh on September 13, as “despicable” and “vicious.”
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with what police are calling a racist assault on an Asian schoolboy that was posted online with the words, “Smash a P*ki” (Photo: Twitter)
The 45 seconds video shows the boy pleading, “Leave me, please, please, please” as two attackers batter him to the ground while other boys look on and cheer.
One boy says: “That’s shan [wrong]” but another replies: “No it’s not. It’s funny as f***.”
The victim is repeatedly punched in the head before a second boy runs in to help drag him to the floor.
Both boys strike the victim as he tries to protect his head. He manages to get up, but is hauled to the ground again and suffers another hail of punches and kicks, for which he had to be hospitalised. Both the victim and the attackers were in school uniform.
The clip appears to have been shot by a boy on a mobile phone. It was posted on Twitter and tagged with the names of two boys and the words “smash a P*ki”.
The footage was apparently deleted but another Twitter user saved and reposted it and called the attackers “scum”. He asked: “Why would you post a video of your mates beating up someone of an ethnic minority and then delete it?”
Other people on Twitter condemned the attackers. One wrote, “Honestly disgusting” and another added, “Cowardly vermin.”
The video shows another boy also apparently using a mobile phone to record the assault.
Police said: “A 13-year-old boy attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with minor injuries. Two boys, both 13, were charged in connection with the assault. Inquiries are ongoing in relation to a social media post connected to the incident.
“Officers remain committed to thoroughly investigating any and all reports of hate crime.”
Chair of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, Foysol Choudhury, said: “We strongly condemn this vicious and vile attack crime and would like to convey our sympathy to the victim. Our sympathy also goes to the victim’s family and friends. The school these boys attend should take measures to prevent other pupils getting involved in such shocking behaviour.”
Scottish Conservative Justice spokesman, Douglas Ross, described the attack as “despicable” adding it was “clearly racially motivated”.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in Scotland and such incidents must be dealt with severely,” he adds.
