12 hours ago
Horrific moment man slams toddler into the ground at airport
An 18-month-old toddler has been left in a coma and fighting for life after being hurled into the ground by a crazed tourist at a Russian airport.
Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moment the attacker glanced in different directions to check if anyone was watching before grabbing the child who is helplessly stood with his tiny suitcase.
The crazed attacker then picks up the boy and slams him into the ground with sickening force.
A bystander can be seen rushing to the scene and scooping up the gravely wounded boy.
The little boy's pregnant mother had left him for just a moment as she collected the pushchair after their flights arrival.
It is understood the boy and his mother had arrived in Russia after fleeing Iran amid ongoing conflict.
Russian sources identified the Vladimir Vitkov, 31, from Belarus, who had also just arrived in the country.
Police are examining if there was a racist or other motivation for the act against the child.
His family had reportedly fled Iran via a tortuous route through Afghanistan and had just arrived in Russia.
The suspect had reportedly flown to Moscow from Cyprus or Egypt.
He was rapidly taken into custody after the incident amid suspicions he was under the influence of drugs.
Moscow Region Children's Ombudswoman Ksenia Mishonova said: 'A drug-addled monster grabbed a toddler in the arrivals hall and threw him on the floor with all his might ….
'All this is incredibly difficult to bear.
'I hope the detained monster will receive the full severity of the law.
'I wish the child a speedy recovery.
'May the parents have the strength to survive this.'
Traces of cannabis were found in the suspect's blood, according to reports citing the Russian Investigative Committee.
He was described as incapable of explaining his actions.
When asked by officers if he had been in trouble with the police before he replied: 'I made mistakes like that.'
Vitkov reportedly has a daughter the same age as the boy thrown to the ground, while a female friend of his was 'in shock' from the alleged actions.
The suspect is under investigation for attempted murder.
The committee said: 'A man, while in the airport arrivals area in a state of drug intoxication, grabbed a child and, lifting him, threw him to the floor with considerable force.
'The boy was hospitalised in a medical facility for assistance.
'The man's criminal actions were stopped by eyewitnesses of the incident.'
