MOSCOW, February 15 (RAPSI) – Prosecutors have approved indictment in a high-profile case against two 17-year old girls charged with animal abuse and their alleged 18-year old accomplice, Alexander Kurennoy, a spokesman for the Prosecutor General’s Office, told journalists on Wednesday.

The case will be soon forwarded to the Industrialny District Court of Khabarovsk for consideration, according to the official.

The girls residing in Khabarovsk published images of animal cruelty on the Internet.

Investigators allege that they abused about 15 animals and birds. 15 biological material samples and spoils of two animals were seized by law enforcement officers. A cat’s skull was found during searches at the apartments of one of the girls.

Investigators claim that the girls are involved in several other crimes including robbery, incitement of hatred and animosity and violation of religious feelings.  In 2015 and 2016, one of the accused girls published images and texts violating religious feelings of people of faith on her VKontakte page. From March to October 2016, she and her alleged accomplice published video containing scenes of abasement of human dignity. In July 2016, the accused girls committed an assault related to robbery against a Khabarovsk resident, according to investigation.

Depending on their role in crimes, the defendants stand charged with animal abuse, robbery, incitement of hatred and animosity and violation of religious feelings.