Police have released photos of two men believed to have been involved in a sickening homophobic attack on reporter Aziz Al-Sa'afin.
The AM Show journalist was walking down Auckland's Karangahape Rd with a friend in the early morning of February 10 when they were violently attacked.
A group of men punched Al-Sa'afin in the face and kicked his friend to the ground while calling them "f*gs" and "homos".
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The culprits ran away when other people came to the victims' help, and police launched an investigation into the unprovoked assault.
Now they're a step closer to bringing the assailants to justice.
On Tuesday Auckland City District Police released still images from CCTV footage taken of a stretch of K Road.
Two men can be seen walking down the street, one wearing a white T-shirt and the other seeming to have draped his shirt around his neck. They appear to be laughing together.
Police say the men "may be able to assist with our enquiries". Anyone who recognises them is urged to call Auckland City Police Station on 09 302 6400 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or send a private message to the Auckland City District Police Facebook page.
Al-Sa'afin wrote about the attack, which happened during the Auckland Pride Festival, in a powerful opinion piece that garnered him nationwide support.
The hate crime was met with condemnation from prominent New Zealand figures including Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Magic Talk host Sean Plunket.
Newshub.
