Details about the Croatian soldier suspected of beating up Santa Claus

Kristijan Ereiz; Printscreen: HRT

After spending half of (Gregorian calendar) Christmas Eve and all of Christmas at a police station on suspicion of beating 21-year-old Kristijan Ereiz, who was dressed as Santa Claus at the time, member of the Croatian Army M.M. (24) was this morning brought to the Municipal State Prosecutor's Office in Slavonski Brod for questioning.

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After spending half an hour at the prosecutor's office, which is requesting to put him in custody, the suspect was taken back to the detention unit, from where he will be brought before an on-duty investigating judge who will decide on his further fate, writes Jutarnji List.

According to the data from the Cabinet of the Chief of Staff of the Croatian Army, the suspect was already sentenced once, but since 2018 he was four times granted leave by his superiors as a reward.

However, the behavior witnessed by dozens of people in the center of the town of Slavonski Brod represents a violation of his military obligations, so decisions regarding this will also be made. According to those familiar with the issue, the assault has certainly put an end to that career.

The brutal attack took place in the afternoon on Christmas Eve when several people got into a street fight. Citizens recorded the violence on their mobile phones, the disturbing videos quickly circulated and horrified the region. The "Santa" received serious injuries.

The victim's father told journalists gathered in front of the hospital that he was disgusted by the act, as well as by the videos showing his son getting beaten, which he said he had no strength to watch.

The father also said that "candy and condoms" that his son was handing out as a courtesy are to blame for everything - he was gifting candy to women and condoms to men.

Not long after, the fight broke out, which culminated in the the young man dressed as Santa falling to the ground, and another man brutally kicking him in the head.

(Telegraf.rs)