Algerians were protesting their now former President in central Paris on Sunday
By Ross Ibbetson For Mailonline
Published: 15:02 BST, 5 April 2019 | Updated: 15:02 BST, 5 April 2019
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A French transgender woman who was filmed being jeered and beaten during a protest by Algerians in a viral video has spoken out.
Julia, 31, said she was trying to make her way to the metro from the Place de la Republique in Paris when she was heckled and abused by men who were protesting the now former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika last Sunday.
In an exclusive interview with Tetu, an LGBT+ magazine, she said: 'People need to know that the video only shows part of the assault. The individual you can see ruffling my hair on the video had slapped me just before.
'Another individual took his penis out in front of me and, laughing, asked me to satisfy him.'
Julia, 31, said: 'I looked at one of my aggressors and told him I was absolutely not afraid of him and I think this is what provoked his very violent reaction'
A protester can be seen wildly striking Julia, 31, repeatedly across the arm after she confronts him near the Place de la Republique in central Paris on Sunday
Footage shows her being shouted at before she goes to confront one of the men who then beats her repeatedly across the arm.
Members of the crowd can be heard jeering in the background as others try to intervene before the police take hold of the situation.
Transport police officers intervened
