By Cameron Houston and Chris Vedelago
A Yarra City councillor has been injured outside a South Yarra nightclub in a violent altercation that is now under investigation by Victoria Police.
Anab Mohamud required hospital treatment after sustaining serious facial injuries from the April attack and has failed to attend at least two council meetings.
Yarra councillor Anab Mohamud.
Video footage obtained by The Age shows Cr Mohamud and a male companion walking down Bray Street about 4am on April 11, when she stops outside a caged smoking area to the rear of Chasers nightclub.
A member of the Australian Greens, Cr Mohamud becomes involved in a heated exchange with a patron, before appearing to grab at their wig.
The Age has been told a patron opened an emergency door and pursued Cr Mohamud along Bray Street before the altercation occurred.
An ambulance was called, but Cr Mohamud left before it arrived.
Cr Mohamud did not respond to requests for comment, but a Yarra City Council spokeswoman said it only became aware of the matter on Monday afternoon, after receiving media inquiries.
“We can confirm Victoria Police is currently investigating and as a result council is not in a position to comment further at this stage,” the spokeswoman said.
Detectives from Stonnington crime investigation unit have obtained CCTV footage from the nightclub, which hosts the popular gay dance party Poof Doof.
Chasers owner Martha Tsamis said the venue was co-operating with the police investigation.
“Chasers and Poof Doof do not condone violence in any form, and have worked hard to create a safe environment for the LGBTQIA community in Melbourne,” Ms Tsamis said.
According to the Yarra City Council website, Cr Mohamud came to Australia as a Somali refugee 20 years ago and now lives in the Atherton Gardens Estate.
“Anab wants to send a strong message to young women that they have every right to become whatever they dream to be,” the website states.
“She is passionate about moving the community forward together, and to give voice to those that need to be heard.”
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Senior Crime Reporter
Chris Vedelago is an investigations reporter for The Age with a special interest in crime and justice.