Mugging victim feels sorry for attackers

THE Malaysian student mugged by yobs posing as good samaritans during the London riots has told a press conference that he “feels sorry” for his attackers.

Mohd Asyraf Raziq Rosli was filmed during the disturbances in London being first hit by rioters, and then being mugged after the same attackers appeared to help him to his feet.

The student, discharged from hospital yesterday, said he planned to finish his studies in Britain, and said that he still thought Britain was “great” despite his ordeal.

When asked by reporters how he was managing to stay so positive, he replied, “I seriously have no idea.”

Ashraf Rossli, 20, was seen bleeding after being punched in the jaw less than a month after arriving in Britain. Hooded youths initially pretended to help him – then went through his rucksack, stealing his mobile phone and wallet in Barking, east London, on Monday night.

A statement from Barts and The London NHS Trust yesterday said: “Ashraf Rossli, the Malaysian student being treated for injuries sustained during the recent civil disorder in London, has now been discharged from the Royal London hospital to continue his recuperation at home.”

The statement continued: “Ashraf is grateful for the many messages of goodwill and offers of support he has received from members of the public the length and breadth of the country.’

Cyclist Mr Rossli, from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, last night described how he was attacked, reliving his ordeal from his hospital bed when he was visited by a friend who filmed the chat and posted it online.

“They threatened to stab me, they told me they had knives,” he says in the footage, available on YouTube.

“Some of them were quite young, maybe still in primary school. They had their hoods on and demanded my bicycle.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said the attack left him “disgusted”.

Mr Cameron said: “When we see the disgusting sight of a young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things badly wrong with our society.”

Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ray Kyles has condemned the attack, calling it a brutal and cowardly act.

The high commission, he added, also encouraged people to continue plans to visit or study in Britain but urged them to exercise caution and avoid violence-hit areas until order was restored.