Police say an Iraqi refugee who was assaulted in her US apartment appears to be the victim of a hate crime.
Albuquerque police spokesman Simon Drobik said a man forced his way into Seham Jaber's home last week, yelled obscenities about Muslims and punched her in the head and stomach. Investigators say the intruder then tore up her family's citizenship papers in the June 5 attack.
Jaber, who is Catholic, told police the unknown assailant also stole at least USD 20,000 in gold, which represented her family's life savings. No arrest has been made.
Jaber, her husband and three sons came to the US in 2008 as refugees.
