ZAGREB, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Four young men, one of whom is a minor, have been arrested for physically assaulting a foreign delivery worker in Split, Croatia's second-largest city, the Split Police Department reported on Saturday.
According to the police statement, the attack occurred around 19:18 local time on Friday when the four individuals assaulted a 41-year-old foreign delivery worker while he was performing his duties in Split. Both the delivery worker and one of his attackers, a minor, sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
All four suspects have been identified and taken into custody, with investigations underway for the offense of grievous bodily harm with potential links to a hate crime, the statement noted.
Additionally, three more incidents involving attacks on foreign delivery workers took place in Split on Friday night. In one case, a delivery worker from Nepal sustained serious injuries, and the perpetrators fled the scene, according to the police statement.
Throughout Friday night, police officers increased their patrols in the city to prevent further illegal activities. The statement emphasized that police efforts will remain rigorous to combat hate-related crimes.
In response to a labor shortage in Croatia, the country has been issuing work permits to foreign workers, with 131,000 permits granted by the end of July this year. However, incidents involving violence against foreign workers have recently increased.
Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic has pledged to ensure the safety of foreign workers in Croatia and to intensify efforts to combat hate crimes. ■