US charges ex-cop in confrontation with Indian man

March 28, 2015 03:01

A former police officer in Alabama has been charged with violating the civil rights of an Indian man who was injured during a violent confrontation, authorities said today.

Former police officer Eric Sloan Parker is charged with using unreasonable force that left Sureshbhai Patel partially paralyzed. The 57-year-old from Gujarat doesn't speak English. He was slammed face-first to the ground in the Feb 6 confrontation, which was captured on video.

Alabama Gov Robert Bentley previously apologised to the Indian government for the treatment of Patel, calling it a case of "excessive force."

Parker will plead not guilty, defence attorney Robert Tuten said.

"We are shocked, disappointed and overwhelmed by all the ways Eric Parker is coming under attack," Tuten said in an email. "However, we are looking forward to seeing the indictment and having our day in court."

Police treatment of minorities has become a big issue in the United States over the past year, and US Attorney Joyce Vance said people "must be able to trust the police."

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