The officers accused the respondent of being the boss of the group and a smuggler

Date & Time 2019-01-15

Location Sombor, Serbia

Reported by No Name Kitchen

Coordinates 45.84785912, 18.84369301

Pushback from Croatia

Pushback to Serbia

Taken to a police station yes

Minors involved yes

WLTI* involved no

Men involved yes

Age 14 - 14

Group size 10

Countries of origin Afghanistan

Treatment at police station or other place of detention

Overall number of policemen and policewomen involved 7

Violence used beating (with batons/hands/other), insulting, theft of personal belongings

Police involved Seven Croatian police officers wearing blue uniforms with Croatian flags, two police cars, one police dog

On January 15, 2019, a group of ten crossed the Serbian-Croatian border by foot from Sombor (SRB) at a river. Shortly after, seven Croatian officers with two police cars arrested them.

Minutes after apprehending the group of ten, around 10 pm, the officers turned violent towards them.

“They beat us, all the officers.”

Afterwards, they were brought to a nearby police station where a second episode of violence occurred. The officers accused the respondent of being the boss of the group and a smuggler. Then, they stole the charger of his phone and his lighter. There was no possibility for the individuals to ask for asylum.

Straight after, the group of ten was pushed-back to Serbia.