Gay Couple Violently Attacked in Front of Crowd in Edinburgh

Two gay men were attacked in Edinburgh's city center on Friday in what authorities have said may be a homophobic attack.

The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. in front of a group of people, according to The Edinburgh Evening News.

An eyewitness told the outlet that they saw four men punching, kicking, and spitting on a man lying on the ground. The witness called the police.

The assailants then ran off with the victims' belongings.

One of the victims was sent to the hospital for treatment, but authorities said neither man suffered serious injuries.

The eyewitness told the outlet that one of the men came over to them after the attack after the witness asked if he was okay.

"There was blood on the ground. He burst into tears and I held him as he sobbed so hard into my chest. He told me he did not know why they did it to him," they said. "It was unprovoked entirely -- the gay men did not fight back, they only tried to defend themselves."

They added that the attackers called them homophobic slurs as they assaulted the men, who the witness said identified themselves as a married couple.

No one tried to stop the attack, according to the witness, and some even laughed as it happened.

Police are asking the public to help find the attackers.

In a statement, Detective Inspector Mark McGraw said, "The investigation into an assault and robbery against two men on Leith Street, Edinburgh on Friday 30 July is ongoing and being treated as a hate crime."

He added: "We understand hate crimes can have a huge impact on those targeted, and an attack on people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race or beliefs, is not only abhorrent but will not be tolerated."