Epping attacks: Police arrest woman over alleged Islamophobic attacks in Melbourne
A woman has been arrested over attacks on two separate women wearing hijabs in a Melbourne shopping centre last week.
Detectives arrested a 31-year-old woman on Wednesday following the alleged assault of two Muslim women in Epping.
It is alleged the Pascoe Vale woman assaulted a 30-year-old Lalor woman and a 26-year-old Wollert woman on Thursday afternoon.
While both women were injured, police described the injuries as non-life-threatening.
Police will allege the victims were targeted due to wearing head coverings.
The woman was charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and aggravated assault, police said.
She is due to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Investigators are also continuing to investigate a report of online threats being made against one of the victims.
In a statement, Victoria Police said: “There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”
One of the victims of the alleged attack previously spoke to SBS News about the incident at Pacific Epping, in Melbourne’s north.
She said she had been on her work lunch break when a woman “came out of nowhere” and hit her across the face.
“[She] pushed me in my chest, grabbed my chest and pushed me so hard on the tiles, and I fell to the ground, and when I fell, I felt like every bone of mine broke, she shoved me so hard,” she said.
“And then she walked off as if nothing happened.”
It is understood another woman reported having a similar experience in the shopping centre that same day.
The woman who spoke to SBS News said she believed the attacks were motivated by Islamophobia as both victims were hijabi Muslim women.
On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about the alleged attacks.
He told ABC Radio Melbourne: “The perpetrators should be held fully to account and face the full force of the law.”
This is a developing story and this article will be updated.
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