London: A Malaysian student attacked during London's riots offered an account of his assault on Thursday, saying he was shocked as he watched the videotape of thugs rifling through his belongings while he bled on a sidewalk.
Mohammad Asyraf Haziq Rossli gave a halting news conference, telling reporters he was stunned that some of his attackers "were children."
"I was shocked because I never expected someone was going to record the video," he said.
The video that chronicled the attack on Monday has become synonymous with London's riots. It has gone viral a chilling example of the unrest that raged for four days.
"I don't believe it myself," said the 20-year-old accounting student. Rossli said that it took some time to process the news, saying that when he looked at the video he kept saying, "Is that really me?"
A group of about 20 teens and preteens surrounded Rossli, grabbed his bike, took his cell phone and broke his jaw. Some youths are videotaped pretending to come to his aid even as they unzip his backpack and emptied its contents.
The sight of youths stealing from a bleeding man has caused shock even leading Prime Minister David Cameron to describe it as a sign of a deeper societal malaise in Britain.
Metropolitan Police said they have arrested a man on suspicion of robbery in connection with the incident. The force said the suspect, who was not identified since he has not been charged, is believed to be in his 20s and is currently in police custody.
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