Three detained after alleged racially motivated attack on Muslim religious leader in Victoria

Three individuals have been arrested after a Muslim leader was allegedly forced from his car on a Melbourne freeway and punched in the face in what police say was a racially motivated attack, The Guardian reported.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society in Noble Park said its leader, Imam Ismet Purdic, and his wife who was also allegedly forced from the car, had suffered “profound trauma” as a result.

The incident was also condemned by the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan.

Police allege the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland highway in Melbourne’s south-east at 7.40pm on Saturday when they were “racially abused” by three occupants of a small black hatchback.

It is alleged the occupants of the car hurled objects, drove dangerously to intimidate the couple and got out of their car to assault the imam and threaten his wife after forcing them to drive into a service station.

Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect.

Members of the public intervened before the alleged offenders returned to their vehicle and fled, police alleged.

The trio were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday.