Three boys arrested for alleged anti-Semitic rape of 12-year-old Jewish girl

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the suspension of controversial electoral reforms in New Caledonia in response to violence and unrest. Mr Macron said his government would break laws to restore order in the territory. Members of the indigenous Kanak community fear the changes would marginalise them. At least nine people have died since the violence began last month. A night-time curfew imposed by the Macron government has been extended until June 17.

The minors, aged 12 and 13, were arrested in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine in Paris after the girl’s parents filed a complaint.

Among the suspects was the girl’s boyfriend, who discovered that she had hidden her religion from him, Le Parisien reported on Tuesday.

The girl met her boyfriend at Henri-Regnault Square, where they met the other two boys, who then allegedly took her to an abandoned shed that was previously used as a child’s room.

The three suspects are accused of insulting her because of her religion, beating her and threatening her with death before raping her vaginally.

The young girl was taken to a medico-legal center in Garches, where a gynecological examination allegedly confirmed the rape.

La Parisien reported that investigators found anti-Semitic comments and images, including the burning of an Israeli flag.

The victim’s boyfriend reportedly told investigators that he wanted revenge for the young girl’s hiding her Jewish faith from him.

Another suspect allegedly admitted to attacking the girl because of some comments she made about Palestine.

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The Nanterre public prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests on Tuesday and said the boys would be brought before an investigating judge “as part of a criminal investigation.”

The charges include “aggravated rape, aggravated sexual assault, as well as death threats, violence and insults.”

“In the case of the last two crimes, the victim’s religious affiliation is a particularly serious factor in the commission of these crimes.”

Two of the boys are in police custody, the youngest is in custody.

They are expected to appear in juvenile court this week, which will decide whether they will remain in custody or be released while investigations continue.