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Gaddafi comic Jeff Mirza attacked at Edinburgh Fringe Gaddafi comic Jeff Mirza attacked at Edinburgh Fringe
(40 minutes later)
A comedian was attacked with a glass bottle while dressed as Colonel Gaddafi to promote his Edinburgh Fringe act.A comedian was attacked with a glass bottle while dressed as Colonel Gaddafi to promote his Edinburgh Fringe act.
Jeff Mirza, 47, who is from East London and is of Pakistani descent, parodies the Libyan leader in his show "Jihad! Heresy or Hearsay". Jeff Mirza, 47, who is from east London and is of Pakistani descent, parodies the Libyan leader in his show "Jihad! Heresy or Hearsay".
He told police a man asked him for a cigarette while he was handing out flyers off the Royal Mile.He told police a man asked him for a cigarette while he was handing out flyers off the Royal Mile.
The comedian shook his head and the man walked on, but when Mr Mirza turned he was struck on the head with a bottle.The comedian shook his head and the man walked on, but when Mr Mirza turned he was struck on the head with a bottle.
Mr Mirza said: "The Edinburgh police were extremely helpful and have taken evidence from the scene.Mr Mirza said: "The Edinburgh police were extremely helpful and have taken evidence from the scene.
"Most people at the Fringe get the joke of me being dressed up as a washed up dictator trying to sell the show."Most people at the Fringe get the joke of me being dressed up as a washed up dictator trying to sell the show.
"I want to thank the Fringe-goers for taking my on-street portrayal of the Gaddafi character in the right way."I want to thank the Fringe-goers for taking my on-street portrayal of the Gaddafi character in the right way.
"The attacker in no way represents the vast majority of Fringe audiences.""The attacker in no way represents the vast majority of Fringe audiences."
A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said they are treating the incident, which happened on Bell's Wynd on 14 August, as a minor assault and do not believe it was racially motivated.A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said they are treating the incident, which happened on Bell's Wynd on 14 August, as a minor assault and do not believe it was racially motivated.
She said: "Police have checked CCTV on the Cowgate and the High Street but the results have been negative.She said: "Police have checked CCTV on the Cowgate and the High Street but the results have been negative.
"The glass fragments have been collected and submitted for forensic examination.""The glass fragments have been collected and submitted for forensic examination."
The attacker is described as white, of slender build, average height, wearing a stone-washed grey T-shirt. He was in his early 30s and has a tattoo on the back of his neck.The attacker is described as white, of slender build, average height, wearing a stone-washed grey T-shirt. He was in his early 30s and has a tattoo on the back of his neck.