A councillor in Victoria allegedly launched a homophobic tirade after sustaining serious injuries in an altercation outside queer dance party Poof Doof.
Anab Mohamud, a Yarra City councillor and member of the Australian Greens, suffered facial injuries in the violent assault in the early hours of April 11.
Victoria Police are investigating the incident outside Chasers Nightclub, home of dance party Poof Doof, in South Yarra.
A security guard who witnessed the incident has given a statement to police, reported by The Age.
The guard said he attempted to administer first aid to Cr Mohamud immediately after the assault on nearby Bray Street.
“[Cr Mohamud] told me numerous times to ‘bring that bitch back, I’ll f**k her up,’” the guard alleged to police.
“She has also yelled out various things, such as ‘f**k the LG family’.
“[She] also said something in what I believe was in Arabic and not understandable, followed by words along the line of, ‘I swear to Allah if I lose my eye I will make sure all these f****ts die.’”
Yarra Councillor Anab Mohamud ‘pulled patron’s hair through fence’
Another witness, a Poof Doof manager, spoke to police and alleged Anab Mohamud reached through the bars of the venue’s caged smoking area from the street and grabbed a woman, who he claims was transgender, by the hair. He said he tried to separate the pair.
“As I got to [the patron], I looked out the metal bars and saw that her head was being pulled against the metal gate bars by [Cr Mohamud] out on Bray Street,” the manager told police.
“She was screaming, ‘F**k you, I’m going to get you.’”
After venue staff separated them, the Poof Doof patron exited through an emergency door.
The patron allegedly chased Cr Mohamud along the street before the violent assault occurred.
Victorian Greens say other witnesses dispute accounts of incident
However in a statement, the Victorian Greens say subsequent police statements from witnesses have contradicted this version of events.
Australian Greens Victoria co-conveners Effy Elden and Nyssa Sims confirmed Cr Mohamud sustained “serious facial injuries, including eye damage and significant blood loss, in the violent assault.”
Cr Mohamud required hospitalisation for some days for the injuries and has taken leave from Yarra City Council.
“At the time of the incident, triple zero was called. Due to delays in an ambulance arriving and the seriousness of her injuries she was transported to hospital in a private vehicle,” they said.
“Cr Mohamud has reported the assault to the police and has taken a leave of absence from her duties as Councillor while she recovers.
“Our understanding is that the version of events reported in the media has been contradicted by subsequent police witness statements.
“These contradictory witness statements are yet to be resolved by police. We therefore remain uncertain about the reliability of what has been reported.
“The Victorian Greens would like to emphasise that we do not condone violence or abuse in any form and condemn this vicious assault on a woman of colour.
“Our focus at this time is to ensure that Cr Mohamud is supported through her recovery from this horrific assault and through the ongoing investigation.”
Victoria Police are investigating South Yarra assault
A Council spokesperson earlier confirmed the matter has been reported to Victoria Police who are investigating further.
“Cr Mohamud has taken a leave of absence from council duties while she recovers from her injuries,” they said.
“Council is providing support and assistance to the councillor at this time. Yarra Council does not condone violence of any sort.”
Chasers Nightclub owner Martha Tsamis earlier said the venue was cooperating with police in the investigation.
“Chasers and Poof Doof do not condone violence in any form. [We] have worked hard to create a safe environment for the LGBTQIA community in Melbourne,” she said.
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