Eighteen-year-old sentenced for spreading false harassment claims against police

An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to administrative detention after accusing a police officer of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl.

The Ohangaron city court found the man and two others guilty of minor hooliganism, failure to comply with lawful police orders, and obstruction of officers in the course of their duties. Each was sentenced to seven days’ detention.

According to regional police, the man posted a video on social media making the allegation. When summoned for questioning, he refused to comply with instructions and caused a disturbance. During the inquiry, he admitted that the information he had shared online was untrue.

Authorities said further investigative measures are under way into suspected defamation of a law enforcement officer, spreading false information, and damage to a vehicle committed by a group.

Earlier reports on social media claimed a patrol officer had taken the girl and her friend to a mountainous area and behaved inappropriately. Police stated the information was not confirmed, and the Children’s Ombudsman has taken the case under review to ensure the protection of the minor's interests.