Connecticut lawmaker says she suffered multiple injuries in attack

Connecticut state legislator Mayram Khan spoke publicly for the first time about an incident in which she was attacked after leaving a Muslim prayer service last month.

Rep. Mayram Khan revealed Wednesday that she suffered several injuries during the incident, which she described as both a violent physical attack and attempted sexual assault.

In a written statement, the lawmaker expressed her gratitude towards the “courageous men who came to my aid” who detained the attacker until police arrived.

“Their courage and tenacity in those moments helped to save my life, the lives of my children and many other Muslim women and children that were still inside the XL Center,” said Khan.

About 4,000 people were at the service Khan attended in Hartford, celebrating Eid al-Adha, the end of the Hajj, or annual pilgrimage Muslims take to Mecca.

Khan, who said she is now undergoing a lengthy process of physical and emotional recovery, also expressed her continued concerns regarding the inadequate security measures at the XL Center.

According to Farhan Memon, the chair of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the perpetrator made lewd remarks and forcibly grabbed Khan before the assault.

Khan is a Democratic representative from Windsor and is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday to address the incident.

The suspect, Andrey Desmond, 30, was arraigned last week and held on $250,000 bond.

He is facing charges that include misdemeanor assault, unlawful restraint, breach of peace and interfering with police. Additional charges may come.

Desmond made inappropriate comments to Khan and attempted to kiss her, local cops said.

When the lawmaker tried to pull away, Desmond slapped her across the face, released his grip on her neck and caused her to fall to the ground, resulting in the injuries.

With News Wire Services