From the Southland Times:

Fear of racial overtones in brutal attack
By SUE FEA
Tuesday, 25 September 2007

Police hope a vicious attack that left a young Brazilian man unconscious in a pool of blood did not have racial overtones after a soccer brawl earlier this year.

Acting Sergeant Blair Duffy said the Brazilian man suffered serious head injuries and was left lying in a pool of blood in Queenstown’s Searle Lane, after the 5.30am unprovoked attack.

The man and two friends, one Brazilian and one Chilean, appeared to have been followed along the lane between Bardeaux and Mini Bar by three New Zealand men, in their early to mid-twenties.

The New Zealanders said something to the three foreigners in English, which they did not understand.

“They said, sorry, we don’t speak English, and they were then pushed about and there was a verbal exchange before one member of the group disappeared around the corner and returned with about 15 other young men,” Mr Duffy said.

The large group all appeared to be New Zealanders and police believed all were probably living in Queenstown. Police were certain the group was not an organised gang.

The Brazilian was viciously attacked, while his two friends managed to run off.

Police were unsure what weapons if any had been used, but some broken glass was located nearby in front of BarUp.

The Brazilian man was discharged from Lakes District Hospital yesterday, still suffering from “fairly serious concussion”, feeling weak and dizzy with little recollection of the events.

Police were contacted by St John Ambulance who found the victim lying in a pool of his own blood from a serious head injury, Mr Duffy said.

The trio had been out for a few social drinks and were definitely not intoxicated, Mr Duffy said.

“I’d hate to think that the fairly average publicity the Brazilian community has had (lately) … that this is retribution for that.”

He was concerned that the reputation of many Brazilians have been unfairly represented and been “tainted” by other incidents.

A Queenstown-based Brazilian soccer player was charged with assault with intent to injure following a soccer brawl during a Queenstown game in May this year.

That charge was later dismissed but police are pursuing the matter in the Invercargill High Court.

Mr Duffy said police had also dealt with some other incidents this year in which Brazilians were offenders, but in this case they were “certainly the victims”.

“We’ve got a large number of Brazilians living and working and contributing in Queenstown – I think it appears that Queenstown could be getting the wrong end of the stick if they think a lot of Brazilians are responsible for crime,” Mr Duffy said.

The three young men were on a working holiday in Queenstown.

No arrests had been made yesterday and police were keen to hear from anyone who either witnessed the attack or had any information.

“It’s bad that in a short time Queenstown has gone from being a desirable place to live … and that perspective is changing, now we’re hitting the front page of the papers for all the wrong reasons,” Mr Duffy said.