MELBOURNE, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A man has been charged over the fatal stabbing of a Chinese national in central Melbourne on Friday night, Victoria Police said on Monday.
A 47-year-old Chinese national died after he was stabbed in Melbourne's CBD while working as a delivery rider on Friday night.
Police said in a statement on Monday that the stabbing occurred during an altercation after the man and a fellow delivery rider observed another man allegedly tampering with their bikes.
The second rider, a 34-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
A 51-year-old man from Melbourne's inner-west was arrested by homicide squad detectives following an investigation and has been charged with one count each of murder and intentionally causing serious injury.
Hundreds of people on Saturday joined a vigil in central Melbourne for the two victims.
Chinese Consul-General in Melbourne Fang Xinwen discussed the incident with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll in an urgent telephone conversation on Saturday. Fang asked the Premier, Victorian Government and Victoria Police to handle this case fairly in accordance with the law, severely punish the perpetrator, and earnestly safeguard the life and legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese nationals in Victoria.
Carroll pledged to send the strongest signal that crimes like this will not be tolerated and that justice will be served.
On Sunday, Carroll told the public that the state government would make any changes necessary to protect gig economy workers. ■
