// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Gang of men hurl racist abuse at takeaway owner before violent attack
Dr Zohaib Arshad was attacked in the street in Falkirk
A business owner has said that a group of men hurled racist abuse at him before punching him and smashing his head into a wall in the street in Falkirk.
Dr Zohaib Arshad said the group approached him on Grahams Road last month when he was visiting one of his takeaway shops and asked him when he was "leaving the country" before launching the unprovoked attack.
The 39-year-old, who practised as a vet in Pakistan, patched himself up with glue stitches rather than wait at A&E. He said his children are now fearful of being attacked in school.
BBC Scotland understands the police are treating the incident as a hate crime.
A spokesperson for the force said inquiries into the attack are ongoing.
Arshad stood as an Alba Party candidate for Falkirk at the 2024 General Election and is now a member of the SNP.
His political connections have resulted in the issue being brought to the attention of the Scottish Parliament, external - however he fears it would have gone unnoticed had he been any other member of the public.
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Arshad said he had just parked his car and was walking to one of his shops on the evening of Monday 20 July.