Mob justice isn't just

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.

Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was a brutal, lethal assault that went far beyond any citizen’s rights. Reasonable force may be used to detain a suspect, but punishment must be left to the courts. In recent cases, the savage beating led to murder investigations.