WARNING: Distressing content.
There are calls for police officers involved in the alleged "brutal assault "of a young Aboriginal man in Tasmania over the weekend to be stood down immediately, with growing concerns about the abuse of police powers in the state.
Campaign Manager at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Nala Mansell said in a statement that the 20-year-old was taken into custody over a minor charge of breach of bail on Thursday and was subsequently handcuffed, thrown into a cell and held face down while his clothes were cut from his body.
Ms Mansell also said an unknown number of police and custodial officers assaulted the young man, leaving him bruised and bloodied.
She has also raised concerns about the man allegedly being left in a pool of his own blood for 12 hours, with his calls for medical and legal assistance ignored.
Mother's concern prompted medical attention
The young man's mother Stacey said her son had been deeply affected by the incident.
"He's not going well at all, he's very quiet and withdrawn and for me, it was a horrible ordeal. There was nothing I could do. No one would answer any questions," she said.
It's understood Stacey went to the police station the morning after the assault, demanding he be able to make a phone call to receive medical assistance.
There are concerns about the use of police strip search powers against Aboriginal people in Tasmania.
"I don't think he also got the option to notify Aboriginal legal representation."
It was then that an ambulance came and took him to the hospital under police escort, where he remained until Saturday.
Stacey said she was desperately trying to see her son.
"I spent the whole day in the street between the hospital and the police station... even to the point where I thought about going into emergency to pretend I was sick to get through those doors," she said.
Calls for investigation and charges
The man was then allegedly taken back to the remand centre and strip searched again.
In a statement, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre said was demanding the state government establish a full and independent inquiry as a result of "the overwhelming number" of abuses of strip search laws against Aboriginal people.
Tasmania Police said that the man has alleged he was assaulted at the Hobart Remand Centre overnight on the 20-21 of October and that professional standards were investigating the matter.
It also said the man was charged with four counts of breach of bail conditions, possessing a controlled drug, aggravated assault, resisting a police officer, threatening a police officer and assaulting a public officer.
His mother said she would like to see the police charged.
"I've written letter upon letter about treatment inside the cells and I get the same response every time: that the police were following protocol and they can't see any injustice.
"But I believe it's time for justice to be handed to them," she said.
