Officer who assaulted homeless man temporarily ousted

The São Paulo Metropolitan Civil Guard agent who attacked homeless man Samir Ahamad was temporarily removed from his position and his conduct will be brought under investigation by authorities in the law enforcement agency.

The incident took place Wednesday (May 3) near the metro station of Conceição, in south São Paulo, Brazil's biggest city. Ahamad showed resistance while being deprived of his belongings during an operation carried out by city authorities. The plan was to “clean the sidewalks and collect objects left by the homeless.”

The officers took away Samir's shopping cart with his belongings, including a mattress and clothes.

Footage made by journalism student Marcos Hermanson shows the moment when the officers approach and attack Ahamad. After a push, the homeless man falls to the ground. “Did I hit you? Did I hit you?” he is seen asking the officers. According to the police report, Ahamad was taken to a police station, where he stated he arm was in pain. He was subsequently taken to a hospital.

Father Júlio Lancellotti, a priest at the Pastoral for the Homeless, who accompanied Ahamad after the assault, reported his wrist was fractured and had to be immobilized. Lancellotti also said he was sent to a city shelter in the Brás district.

São Paulo Mayor João Doria condemned the incident on social media. “I hope this does not happen again, and that it may serve as an example, so that nothing of this nature may occur again,” he wrote.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira