Suspected of stealing a wooden log, a 15-year-old middle school student was beaten to death yesterday in the East Mahazoarivo neighborhood. An investigation has been opened. The victim's sister and uncle share their account.

From Ankadindratombo bridge, a paved path crosses the neighborhood market, passes the East Mahazoarivo fokontany office, and leads to the home of Andry Rakotonirina. This 15-year-old student, a fourth-year pupil at a private school and known to local residents, died yesterday.

In the family courtyard, dozens of relatives gathered to mourn early in the afternoon. Inside the house, the boy's body lies on a table covered with a sheet, dressed in white.

His older sister, Emma Rakotonirina, emotionally recounts the circumstances: "We are three children in the family and he was the youngest. At dawn, he went running with two classmates. They found wooden logs in the courtyard of a house under construction and took one to use as a crossbar for an improvised football goal."

She continues: "The guards caught them. His friends managed to escape, but he fell and was caught. His pursuers beat him with the log he wanted to take."

Taken by Police

Severely injured, Andry was abandoned in an alley near the home of a local security committee member. Alerted, his family took him to the basic health center, then urgently to Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Hospital, where his death was confirmed. His body, with no apparent injuries, was then brought home.

The suspected perpetrators remain missing. The house they were guarding was empty. In the courtyard, several logs are piled behind a fence studded with nails. The owner was taken by police.

"I coach neighborhood children in football. I knew this teenager very well since he was small. He was a good boy. Even if he had taken this wood, this is not how things are settled. Why take his life?" says Fils Randriatsiresy, indignant. The victim's uncle, Jean Luc Randrianarisoa, shares the same view. A police investigation has been opened.

Witness Ginnah Claudia Ralison states: "I heard calls for help around 3 in the morning. The dogs were barking. We didn't dare intervene. No one came out."

Gustave Mparany