NEWARK — The young man at the center of a video of a Newark assault that has drawn national attention spoke out for the first time Wednesday, claiming he was held at gunpoint in an alley as three men forced him to strip naked on camera and one beat him mercilessly with a belt — all over a $20 debt supposedly owed by his father.

In an exclusive interview with The Star-Ledger, the victim said he wanted to fight back, but feared resisting the men could have led to a fate worse than the humiliating video that drew 40,000 views on YouTube and sparked citywide outrage.

"I was kinda scared. Just did what they asked me to do so they wouldn’t turn a page," he said. "They had a gun."

The interview came hours after Newark Mayor Cory Booker announced the arrests of the three men who allegedly orchestrated the attack, ending a citywide manhunt that started last week when the video exploded in the social media sphere.

Ahmad Holt, right, 22, was arrested Tuesday night and charged in connection with a viral YouTube video that shows a man being forced to strip naked before he is viciously whipped with a belt over a twenty dollar debt.

"We do not tolerate this type of evil in our community," Booker said. "This is not who we are."

The victim and his aunt spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. Two high-level law enforcement sources confirmed the man interviewed by The Star-Ledger Wednesday was the same person attacked in the video.

The 21-year-old’s aunt, who raised him after his mother’s death nearly a decade ago, said the attack was a life-changing event for the family.

"He’s not saying much, but I see the hurt in him," she said. "They dehumanized him."

Three men were charged in the vicious attack, police said. The assault was led by 22-year-old Ahmad Holt, a convicted drug dealer who was released from state prison just weeks before the brutal assault took place, according to police and public records. The alleged cameraman, 23-year-old Jamar Gray, and 31-year-old Raheem Clark, were also charged in connection with the attack, police said.

All three have been charged with aggravated assault, robbery, weapons offenses and conspiracy, Police Director Samuel DeMaio said. Holt was already incarcerated at a Trenton-area prison and Gray surrendered to police Tuesday night, according to DeMaio, who said officers also arrested Clark on Tuesday night.

All three suspects have gang affiliations, DeMaio said. Records show Gray and Clark also have lengthy criminal records.

It was Holt who led the attack on the victim, ordering the 21-year-old to yell the phrase "Doggy Dawg" and to tell the camera that it is a "Doggy Dawg" world, police said.

"Doggy Dawg" is apparently Holt’s street name, according to DeMaio, who said Gray filmed the event and Clark provided the belt.

The victim, who spoke softly and kept his eyes cast down, said he was just hanging out with friends on Irvine Turner Boulevard when Holt and the others cornered him. After Holt demanded the money, Gray turned on the camera and began filming the attack.

The victim said he didn’t know any of the three assailants personally, and neither did his father. He decided not to inform police because he feared his family might be attacked in retribution.

The 21-year-old said he was trying to put the attack behind him until the video surfaced on YouTube on Feb. 7 — the victim’s birthday.

"It made me feel hurt, mad. All types of feelings," he said.

"They’re cowards," he added. "We all know that."

DeMaio said the victim did not tell police he was held at gunpoint, but a witness told police they "may have seen a gun." Police may re-interview the 21-year-old, and the suspects could face additional charges based on the victim’s allegation, DeMaio said.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was incensed as he announced arrests in the attack, describing the video as a "human tragedy" and pounding the podium in frustration with witnesses who didn't come forward during the initial attack.

Trembling as she spoke, the victim’s aunt said the attack has shaken the family and caused them to live in fear of another assault.

"For somebody to do such a horrible thing to my child, it took me back over a hundred years to what we call slavery," she said. "I cry for days every time I think about it."

Booker called the attack a "human tragedy," and said he was incensed that no witnesses stepped forward during the daylight attack.

He became furious at one point during the news conference, slamming his fists down on a podium.

"There were others who saw this crime happen, who witnessed this type of vicious brutality and said nothing," he said. "In the face of evil, those who remain quiet are participants in that evil."

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