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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Police Department has begun an internal investigation into the use of force on a man whose arrest was recorded by a bystander and uploaded to YouTube.

Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore says 29-year-old Askira Sabur tried to grab an officer’s gun Friday night before an onlooker captured an officer repeatedly striking Sabur with a baton on a West Philadelphia sidewalk.

The video shows Sabur being struck in the arms, back and head before he’s handcuffed. An officer also appears to briefly brandish a weapon at the gathering crowd.

Sabur’s attorney told WCAU-TV that Sabur never tried to grab a gun. Evan Hughes says Sabur suffered a broken arm and gashes on his head that needed to be closed with staples.

Sabur is charged with aggravated assault and related offenses.

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