Sweden: Two 13-year-old runaways suspected of murdering 65-year-old man

Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 65-year-old man on a farm in Sweden, police have confirmed.

The teenage boys were on the run from a foster home in Varberg, in southwestern Sweden at the time of the incident.

The victim was found dead by a relative, however police have not disclosed how he died.

The boys were found at an address on Tuesday (9 June) night in the city of Gothenburg, around 46 miles away. The pair, whose identities were not disclosed, were arrested yesterday evening and taken in for questioning. They are not believed to be related to one another.

Police said in a statement: "Witness accounts and objects that link one of the boys to the scene led police to the two boys. Interrogations have been held with the boys, but no details will be disclosed about what emerged nor the boys' position regarding the suspicions."

Investigator Cecilia Bergsten said: "It's highly unusual that such young people are suspected of such a serious crime as murder."

Police have cordoned off the area and forensic teams are examining the crime scene.

The children have been placed in the care of social welfare authorities.

In Sweden, children under the age of 15 cannot be held in custody, charged with a crime or go on trial. Instead, they are placed in the care of social welfare authorities. However, police are permitted to question them as part of an investigation to determine their possible guilt and whether there anyone else is involved in the crime.