A man was recovering today from injuries in south Belfast after he was targeted in an apparent racially motivated assault.
The victim, who is believed to be Asian, was attacked in a house in Donegall Avenue shortly before midnight by a three-man gang and then dragged outside. They hit him with a broken bottle, kicked and punched him.
The man was treated in hospital for cuts to the face and eye, bruising to the rest of the body and a mouth injury.
Police said they were treating the attack as racist in nature and appealed for witnesses.
The attack was condemned by the North's Anti-Racism Network (ARN).
Spokesman Steven Alexander said: "While efforts have been made by community leaders in the city to educate and raise awareness, there would seem to be a small group of hard-line racists determined to continue their campaign of hatred and violence.
"People in south Belfast are proud of the fact that it is the most diverse part of Northern Ireland and the vast majority are appalled by the attacks that have happened."