A young man suspected of assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, has been placed in custody for two months without the right to bail. This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.

"The court has chosen a preventive measure for the minor due to torture and extortion of money from a 12-year-old child in Bila Tserkva. During the pre-trial investigation, the minor will be held in custody for two months without the possibility of bail," the statement reads.

The police reminded that the 16-year-old boy, who is among the others involved in the assault on the girl, has been notified of suspicion regarding the torture of a minor and extortion of funds from her (Part 4 of Article 189, Part 1 of Article 127 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

It is noted that law enforcement officials have now reclassified the actions of all participants in the crime and are conducting a pre-trial investigation into the torture committed by a group of individuals in collusion (Part 2 of Article 127 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The sanctions for this article provide for a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

The mother of the accused boy stated to journalists that the responsibility for the actions should not fall solely on him.

"No one will make one child guilty... They have turned him into a demon, although that is not the case," the woman said, adding that they will appeal today's court decision regarding the preventive measure.

The 16-year-old boy expressed remorse for his actions but refused to explain why he did it.

Assault on a 12-Year-Old Girl in Bila Tserkva - What We Know

The police are investigating the fact of abuse and extortion of money from a 12-year-old girl in Bila Tserkva. Ten participants in the incident have been identified, aged between 12 and 16.

According to law enforcement, the teenagers gathered in a local park, where they invited the 12-year-old victim. Subsequently, to intimidate the girl, one of the participants, a 16-year-old boy, threatened her, hit her, and sprayed her face with pepper spray. This boy also psychologically pressured the girl and demanded 15,000 hryvnias from her.

Video footage of the assault on the girl by several participants in the conflict has surfaced online.