Arabic version: الشرطة تحقق في اعتداء مزعوم في مخيم السيادة

According to ABC News, Victoria Police are investigating an alleged assault at Camp Sovereignty in inner Melbourne after a 37-year-old member of the First Nations protest site was treated for facial injuries on Sunday night.

Ash Ni Mara, a Gunai, Gunditjmara and Palawa person, said two strangers entered the site and attempted to extinguish its sacred fire. Ash said a woman was filming on her phone while a man pulled pieces of wood from the fire. Ash alleged they were dragged about six metres, held in a headlock and repeatedly hit after responding to the man.

Paramedics treated Ash at the scene, checking them for concussion and minor facial injuries. The alleged perpetrators fled on foot before police arrived. Police patrols did not locate them and investigators are canvassing CCTV in the area, with police seeking witnesses and information.

Superintendent Zorka Dunstan said police were considering whether the incident was racially motivated, but would confirm that after determining a motive. She said Melbourne CIU was investigating and police were likely to lay assault charges once they determined what was applicable.

Camp Sovereignty, in the Kings Domain parklands in Melbourne’s CBD, began in 2006 as a protest against the Commonwealth Games. The site is maintained by volunteers and has a continuous sacred fire. It is the second alleged attack at the camp within 12 months. Last week, four men charged over last year’s attack pleaded guilty to violent-disorder charges in Victoria’s County Court.