32-year-old Kayvan Sabeghi suffered a lacerated spleen after being beaten by Oakland PD officers near the protesters’ encampment in Frank Ogawa Plaza. He was taken to jail and reportedly denied medical attention for 18 hours, despite having visible wounds and complaining of strong pain.
Friend and business partner Esther Goodstal told the Associated Press after the incident that Sabeghi was not involved with Occupy Oakland, and was returning home from dinner the night of the raid.
She claimed at the time that he had come across a line of police outside his apartment, and was not allowed through. Just-surfaced video from the night in question shows Sabeghi nonviolently confronting the officers, thought it is unclear if he was being prevented from passing through.
It is quite clear, however, that the beating he received was unprovoked and wildly disproportionate.
Sabehgi can be heard telling a police officer that he is a war vet just before being struck by a baton. Photographer Neil Rivas, who captured the footage and was witness to the entire incident, says Sabehgi did nothing to warrant such a response.
“There were no curse words,” he told The Guardian.
“He was telling them he was a war vet, a resident of Oakland, a business owner.” Rivas added that, even while he was being beaten, Sabehgi still didn’t fight back.
An Oakland PD spokeswoman said the incident was being investigated.
Count 'em. Eighty four.
Had he obeyed the police, he wouldn't be injured. Simple.