Polish Man Attacked While Asking For Directions; Photo Of Possible Suspect Released

KEY POINTS

A Polish man said he was attacked by a man in a gray suit because of his nationality
The attacker’s companion stood by as the victim was being assaulted, police said
Police released an image of a man they believe carried out the attack

Police in London are looking for two men after a Polish national was attacked near Victoria Coach Station.

The victim, identified as 31-year-old Kamil Sobala, had just arrived in central London from Bath, England, on June 18 when he said he approached two men to ask for directions to a subway station since his phone had died, the BBC reported.

Sobala said he was beaten up in Elizabeth Street by a man in a gray suit because of his nationality.

The attacker’s companion stood by as the victim was being assaulted, police said.

The Polish national was taken to a hospital by unnamed members of the public. Police did not attend because the suspects had left Elizabeth Street, according to the report.

A week after the assault, detectives released a new image of one of the possible suspects wanted in connection with the incident.

Police obtained footage showing two men running away from the scene in Ebury Street, and they believe one of them carried out the attack at around 19:50 BST on June 18, according to the BBC.

Sobala suffered cuts and bruises to his face as well as a head injury from the attack.

"I am in so much pain, they just kept punching me. My head hurts," Sobala said. "I only asked them for directions and if they knew for a place to charge my phone."

The incident is not being treated as a hate crime, police confirmed.

The Metropolitan Police are seeking the help of the public to track down the man in the image. Those who may have any information are requested to either call 101, tweet @MetCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK with the reference 7204/18JUN.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police revealed that an investigation is ongoing and that they are trying to identify the suspects. Detectives from the Central West CID are reportedly handling the case.

A spokesperson for the mayor of London said that the attack has no place in the city and that the perpetrators must be found and brought to justice.

"The mayor is clear that hatred and violence have no place in our city and the perpetrators of this attack must be found and brought to justice,” the spokesperson stated.