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Surrey RCMP say a 52-year-old man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a recent Syrian refugee.

Police say Mark Nijjer was walking near the Newton bus loop when he allegedly elbowed the 18-year-old victim in November 2017.

Cpl. Scotty Schumann said the family was surprised with the charge.

“When you’re fleeing from a country that’s war-torn like Syria is, and coming to a country like Canada with an excellent reputation… It caught this family off-guard,” he said.

READ MORE: Police release updated suspect description after Syrian refugees pepper sprayed in Vancouver

RCMP say Nijjer is known to police, and is scheduled to appear in court next week.

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