Ukrainian held in Italy for trying to drown stepson

Recco (Italy), Aug 21 (IANS/AKI) A Ukrainian cook was arrested on suspicion trying to drown his nine-year-old stepson in the sea near Italy's Genoa, police said on Monday.

He faces charges of attempted murder and domestic violence.

Beach-goers at the resort of Recco called lifeguards after they saw the 27-year-old Ukrainian lure the boy some distance from the shore and repeatedly hold him under the water.

After lifeguards rescued the child, the Ukrainian then manhandled his terrified 24-year-old Italian wife on the beach. She had witnessed the shocking scene and was trying to return to their hotel with the couple's young baby and her older son.

The traumatised boy was taken to Genoa's main paediatric hospital and put under observation. He had vomited seawater and was having difficulty breathing but his life was not in danger, doctors said.

The Ukrainian had been drinking at the time he allegedly tried to drown his stepson and was known to have an alcohol problem, police said.

--IANS/AKI

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