Updated 4.45pm with minister's comments

Transport Malta has launched an investigation after a video appeared to show two of its enforcement officials hitting a man on the ground.

The alleged incident happened on October 26 in Qormi Road, Marsa.

The victim is believed to have been a motorist who was stopped for drink driving.

The incident happened in Marsa. Video: LovinMalta

The video, first shown on Lovin Malta, shows an officer getting off his motorbike and running towards the man, punching him in the head, with another officer joining in within seconds.

Despite lying on the ground with outstretched arms, the man is punched around the head and other parts of his body before another official is seen stepping in to restrain them. 

The police said they are also investigating the case.

Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia condemned the incident and said the two officials had been immediately suspended pending an internal investigation.

Video: Matthew Mirabelli

Speaking to Times of Malta outside parliament, Farrugia said statements were taken by other officials who were in the area, but would not say whether they had volunteered information right after the incident happened. 

The incident comes just over a month after three police officers were charged with abducting and assaulting foreign nationals.

Rica Mifsud Grech, Jurgen Falzon and Luca Brincat are accused of crimes against human dignity. 

In the aftermath of the case, there were calls for detailed psychological evaluations of recruits to weed out any racial hatred-related issues. 

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