Police said Saturday that an 18-year-old Pakistani student was assaulted and struck by a drunken policeman Friday night in Niigata Prefecture and that they will send the case to public prosecutors.

Assistant inspector Tadanori Kazama, 42, approached the student, saying "You, over-stayer," near JR Niigata Station around 10:30 p.m. Friday, and struck him in the face several times, the police said.

The student sustained slight injuries to his chin, according to the police. Kazama was on his way home after drinking with two colleagues, the police said.

The officer will be sent to the prosecutors on suspicion of assault and battery, they said.