Teens in court for vigilantism

A group of teenagers are in court in Lugano after they took the law into their own hands in an effort to catch paedophiles.

18 children between the age of 14 and 17, and one 18 year old, are accused of using online dating apps and social media to identify potential child molesters.

They arranged to meet in a park or an apartment – one child will be the bait.

Prosecutors say they were then humiliated. They were physically attacked, urinated and spat on. One man had his head shaved. 

Those underage are in a juvenile court – legal proceedings have also been started against the adults who fell into the trap.

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