Charges filed in student assault

Global Times | April 25, 2012 00:55

Chinese nationals in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) were warned Tuesday by the Consulate-General of China in Sydney to avoid going out at night after two Chinese students were brutally assaulted by a group of young people early Monday, local time.

Five of the six attackers, aged 14 to 18, were charged Tuesday with robbery and assault-related offenses, and a 17-year-old girl will stand trial in June, according to a press release from the NSW Police Force.

The Consulate-General of China in Sydney said it had provided assistance to the two victims, who are now recovering and cooperating with police.

"The police stressed that the attackers were not targeting Chinese nationals, and another four people were also robbed," read the statement.

A spokesperson from the Australian Embassy in China told the Global Times Tuesday that the Australian government attaches great importance to the safety of all residents in the country.

"We condemn any acts like this and extend our deep sympathy to the victims," said the spokesperson.

One student posted his experience on Sina Weibo early Monday, saying he and his friend were attacked on their way from Sydney to Rockdale, resulting in a fractured nose.

"They attacked us with glass and burned us with cigarettes. We're totally disfigured," read the post. He added that the attackers also insulted them with racial taunts.

This is not the only recent violence involving Chinese overseas students. On April 11, two students at the University of Southern California died after an early-morning shooting.