7-year-old boy dies after saving his 12-year-old sister from being raped

Such stories are evident in the realms of cinema, theatre and story-books. Or else how often do we come across such real life incidents where a seven-year-old boy dies trying to save his sister from being raped. And it is stories like these that assures us of the fact that gallantry is not just an attribute of the adults.

Zhenya (7), from the military town of Noginsk-9 - a place where even small crimes are unheard of was brutally murdered by a robber, as the boy was trying to save his 12-year-old sister, Yana, from being raped. The boy managed to save his sister but in the act lost his life.

Zhenya's mother Galina recently received the order of courage medal on behalf of her son. But like every mother nothing means to her more than her son. During the award ceremony she was numb which clearly reflected her pain and grief.

The heinous crime took place last November. Around midday the robber rang the doorbell of Zhenya's house.

“I asked who it was. The man said he was the postman, and he needed to give us a telegram and get a signature. So I opened the door,” recalls Zhenya’s sister Yana.

Immediately after she opened the door the man held a knife to her throat and asked Zhenya to get all the valuables in the house to him. Zhenya agreed to the demand but when he saw that the robber was undressing his sister, he could not bear it. Zhenya seized a knife from the kitchen and stabbed it into the robber's back. Although this didn't kill the robber, Yana managed to escape from the robber's grasp. In retaliation the robber stabbed the little boy - 8 times.

Thirty-five-year old Sergey Kiyashko (35) is now in the custody of the police with sufficient evidence to convict him.

The entire population of the town attended the funeral to show their support to the boy. Even the police force could not ignore the daring and heroic act of Zhenya.

“At the prosecutor’s office, we witness many atrocities on a daily basis. But this case has sent many of us into shock. And it's played a part in the drafting of a new law on tougher punishment for those who commit crimes against children,” said Aleksandr Bystrykin, who is the the chief inspector.

Zhenya is gone forever and nothing can bring him back. But his act has become the talk of the town and his school in particular.

"The boy’s photo now occupies the desk where he used to sit. Later on a special plaque will be fixed onto it. And only the best pupils will have the chance and honour of taking that place," a local news paper quoted.