Ankawa, North Iraq (AINA) -- An Assyrian church security guard was severely beaten on Sunday, April 26 by four people claiming to be Kurds. While guarding the St. Joseph Church and the parishioners during Sunday morning mass, the guard observed a Land Cruiser with three occupants circling the church and blasting loud music. The car circled the church four times. The guard stopped the car and asked the occupants to lower the volume when approaching the church so as not to disturb the mass.

At that point a man came out of the car and threatened the guard, saying that he is the son of Fadhel Mirani, the Secretary General of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The guard reportedly said that he is only doing his job and he is within his rights to stop from disturbing the mass.

The men in the car left but returned a short time later, accompanied by a fully armed police unit. They attacked the guard, beating him severely and breaking his nose, which caused severe bleeding.

The men also threatened the parishioners who had been leaving the church, saying they would return and damage the church.

Some information obtained from ankawa.com and bethsuryoyo.com.