Boy of 16 dies after being beaten at home over money lost online

SALAH AL-DIN — A 16-year-old boy died on Monday night after being tied up and beaten at his family home in Tuz Khurmatu, where police arrested his father and maternal uncle.

Amin Jalal died after the assault at the family home in the Komari neighbourhood, said Brig. Gen. Badr Khalaf, director of Tuz Khurmatu General Police. Officers went to the house after being notified and arrested his 49-year-old father and his uncle, both of whom acknowledged during preliminary questioning that the boy died while they were beating him, Khalaf said. An investigation has been opened.

According to Khalaf, Amin had been deceived over several days by people contacting him through his TikTok account and lost $70,000 through a link to an online game — money police said was the family’s entire savings, held in a bank account. He had also taken on debt through gaming. His uncle was visiting on Monday night when the loss came to light, and after Amin acknowledged it the two men tied his hands and feet and beat him. During the assault his father pushed him and he struck his head, suffering internal bleeding.

Haroun Rashid, director of Tuz Khurmatu General Hospital, said the boy’s body showed extensive signs of beating and that he was brought late and died before reaching the hospital.