An Egyptian schoolboy was allegedly tied to a wooden pole by his father and covered in honey to attract bees as punishment for stealing.
The boy, seven, was reportedly subjected to the cruel punishment on May 25 after a neighbour accused him of theft in the Egyptian governorate of Qalyubia.
A shocking picture shows the child, identified as Muhammad D, lying on the floor with his hands bound to a wooden pole behind his back, while insects appeared to swarm on his skin.
Boy tied to pole and covered in honey to attract BEES by father 'as punishment for stealing' https://t.co/FrwHB5vJBp
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 2, 2021
The 34-year-old father, whose name has not been disclosed, has been arrested after he allegedly bound his young son to the wooden pole and covered his skin with honey.
The man then reportedly placed Muhammad on the roof of their house, where he attracted swarms of mosquitoes and bees due to the sticky honey all over his body.
It is not known how long the child was left on the roof.
Local media said Muhammad's mother, 29, who was not named, was horrified when she saw her son's punishment and sought help from a child rescue group.
Boy, seven, tied to pole and covered in honey to attract BEES 'as punishment for stealing' https://t.co/fyyFfg6JBM
— NewsfeedsMedia (@NewsfeedsMedia) June 2, 2021
The mother took pictures of the brutal scene, which are now being used as evidence against the father.
Muhammad was found in a 'deplorable' state by the authorities following the alleged punishment and he was checked by medical experts, who recorded the extent of his injuries.
There have not been any further reports on Muhammad's condition.
Prosecutors from Qalyubia were contacted after the mother's plea for help and have reportedly opened an investigation.
The mother, who is now staying in a different village, claimed the man would repeatedly beat her and look for new ways to torture their child, even depriving him of food and water for long periods of time, according to Al Arabiya.
The suspect has been arrested by the authorities but it is unclear if he has been formally charged yet.
The investigation is ongoing.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
