Muslim lawmaker alleges Connecticut police downplaying attack on her
HARTFORD, Connecticut – Muslim lawmaker Maryam Khan, who was attacked last month outside a prayer hall has alleged that police was downplaying the assault.
She was attacked by 30-year-old Andrey Desmond outside a prayer service in Hartford, the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut.
Desmond was previously charged with assault, trespassing and obstructing police, among other charges.
Khan alleges that Desmond made sexual advances toward her and her daughters. He later allegedly slapped her and threw her to the ground.
She suffered a concussion and an injury to her right arm and shoulder.
Hartford District Attorney Sharmese Walcott charged Desmond with attempted third-degree sexual assault, second-degree assault, strangulation and risk of injury to children.
Khan said it was a hate crime and wondered why police did not include it in the charges against Desmond. She accused police of downplaying the attack.
The lawmaker said the attack was much more violent than described in the police report. She is concerned about the safety of other women in Hartford who might call police after an assault.
Khan was the first Muslim elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives.
She was assaulted after attending an Eid al-Adha service in Hartford last month, leaving her with a concussion and an injured right arm and shoulder.
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