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Attack on Muslim woman in Melbourne 'may have been racially motivated' Police unsure of motive for attack on Muslim woman in Melbourne
(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 Muslim woman near the State Library in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, but say they have no reason to believe the assault was racially motivated.
The Muslim woman was assaulted on Swanston Street near La Trobe Street by an unknown attacker, who immediately fled. The 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 were investigating whether it was racially motivated, and that the offender was not believed to be armed.
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Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene, and she was uninjured.Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene, and she was uninjured.
A witness to the incident, 16-year-old Muhammad, who declined to give his last name, told Guardian Australia the man walked past the women before “he turned around and punched her on the side of the head”.A witness to the incident, 16-year-old Muhammad, who declined to give his last name, told Guardian Australia the man walked past the women before “he turned around and punched her on the side of the head”.
“It was a brutal punch. Once that happened he tripped her and she fell right to the ground,” he said.“It was a brutal punch. Once that happened he tripped her and she fell right to the ground,” he said.
“I got up and screamed at him and he backed off. People came to aid the girl and call the ambulance.”“I got up and screamed at him and he backed off. People came to aid the girl and call the ambulance.”
Muhammad said he followed the perpetrator until the next street crossing. “That’s when he noticed me and my friend were following him, and he said we should back off. He took a knife out, metres from us,” he said.Muhammad said he followed the perpetrator until the next street crossing. “That’s when he noticed me and my friend were following him, and he said we should back off. He took a knife out, metres from us,” he said.
The 16-year-old accused the man of a racial attack, but the perpetrator replied he was “not racist”.The 16-year-old accused the man of a racial attack, but the perpetrator replied he was “not racist”.
Fairfax Media reported on Friday that the offender allegedly ripped off the woman’s hijab after tripping her and twice punching her, but police said they did not believe that was the case. Fairfax Media reported on Friday that the offender allegedly ripped off the woman’s hijab after tripping her and twice punching her, but police later said they did not believe that was the case.
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. On Friday afternoon, acting sergeant Shaun Toohey said police had no information as to what the motivation was for the attack, and there was nothing to say it had been racially motivated.
“The victim said nothing was said to her,” Toohey said. “She just felt the strike to head.”
The victim was “surprised” when she read reports in the media that the attack was racially motivated, Toohey said.
He said the victim had not suggested race a motivation for the attack, or mentioned a weapon.
A number of witnesses had given accounts of the attack, police media confirmed.
Police released details of the attacker 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.He was shirtless at the time of the attack, police said.
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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.