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| Attack on Muslim woman in Melbourne 'may have been racially motivated' | Attack on Muslim woman in Melbourne 'may have been racially motivated' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Victoria police are investigating an attack on a 21-year-old woman near the State Library in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, and say they believe the assault may have been racially motivated. | Victoria police are investigating an attack on a 21-year-old woman near the State Library in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, and say they believe the assault may have been racially motivated. |
| The Muslim woman was assaulted on Swanston Street near La Trobe Street by an unknown attacker, who immediately fled. | The Muslim woman was assaulted on Swanston Street near La Trobe Street by an unknown attacker, who immediately fled. |
| A police spokeswoman could not reveal details about the nature of the attack other than to say police are investigating whether it was racially motivated, and that the offender was not believed to be armed. | A police spokeswoman could not reveal details about the nature of the attack other than to say police are investigating whether it was racially motivated, and that the offender was not believed to be armed. |
| Related: Pro-diversity and anti-mosque protesters rally in Bendigo | Related: Pro-diversity and anti-mosque protesters rally in Bendigo |
| Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene, and she was uninjured. | Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene, and she was uninjured. |
| While Fairfax Media reported on Friday that the offender allegedly ripped off the woman’s hijab after tripping her and twice punching her, a police media spokeswoman said police did not believe the attacker attempted to remove the woman’s hijab. | While Fairfax Media reported on Friday that the offender allegedly ripped off the woman’s hijab after tripping her and twice punching her, a police media spokeswoman said police did not believe the attacker attempted to remove the woman’s hijab. |
| Police released details of the attacker later on Friday, describing him as Caucasian, 183cm tall and approximately 45-years-old with a slim build, short light-coloured hair and a beard, with a tattoo on his upper right arm. | |
| He was shirtless at the time of the attack, police said. | |
| Guardian Australia has contacted Islamophobia Register Australia for comment. | Guardian Australia has contacted Islamophobia Register Australia for comment. |
| Related: Bendigo mosque: court throws out bid to have development halted | Related: Bendigo mosque: court throws out bid to have development halted |
| Earlier this month the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, criticised members of far-right group United Patriots Front for promoting “hate and bigotry” in the state, largely through their protests against the building of a mosque in the regional city of Bendigo. | Earlier this month the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, criticised members of far-right group United Patriots Front for promoting “hate and bigotry” in the state, largely through their protests against the building of a mosque in the regional city of Bendigo. |
| In May, a commuter was attacked on a train when he stood up for three Muslim women who were being racially abused. | In May, a commuter was attacked on a train when he stood up for three Muslim women who were being racially abused. |
| In September last year, then commissioner of Victoria police Ken Lay said attacks against Muslim women in particular had risen since the death of terrorism suspect, Abdul Numan Haider. | In September last year, then commissioner of Victoria police Ken Lay said attacks against Muslim women in particular had risen since the death of terrorism suspect, Abdul Numan Haider. |