"Looks like a terrorist." In Karshi, district police officers beat up a 19-year-old guy because of his long hair. Video

"Looks like a terrorist." In Karshi, community police officers beat up a 19-year-old guy because of his long hair. Video

A video appeal from a resident of the "Chulkuvar" mahalla in the city of Karshi has spread on social media, in which she spoke about the violent detention and beating of her 19-year-old brother by law enforcement officers. According to the young woman, the young man's hairstyle attracted the attention of prevention inspectors.

The incident allegedly occurred in the morning when the young man was walking to work. Two community police officers approached him and stated that because of his long hair, he looked suspicious and "looked like a terrorist." When the young man tried to film what was happening on his mobile phone, the officers, according to the author of the appeal, used physical force against him. In front of neighbors, the guy was choked, then forcibly pushed into a service vehicle and driven away.

The young woman claims that at the police stronghold and the district department of internal affairs, the detainee, who was handcuffed, was forced to sign an explanatory statement which claimed that he had allegedly used obscene language and resisted the officers.

The published footage shows visible signs of bodily injuries: hematomas on his face, injuries to his nose and head, marks from blows on his back and shoulders, as well as torn-out hair.

The young woman appealed for help to the President of Uzbekistan and the leadership of state bodies, demanding an investigation and a legal assessment of the actions of the officers, whom she accuses of abuse of power and the use of violence.

At the time of publication, there had been no official comments on this matter from the Department of Internal Affairs of Kashkadarya Region or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.