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‘We are seniors, why you hit me and my wife?’: Elderly couple speak out about RCMP arrest

Click to play video: 'Elderly couple arrested by RCMP at strata meeting speak out'
Elderly couple arrested by RCMP at strata meeting speak out
WATCH: An elderly couple at the centre of a shocking incident involving RCMP in Coquitlam last week, is talking to Global News. RCMP were called to a tenants meeting over reports of fighting. When they arrived the situation quickly got out of hand. Grace Ke has more on why the couple feels they were singled out – Oct 31, 2016

The elderly couple caught on camera being violently arrested by Coquitlam RCMP last week is speaking out.

The incident happened on the evening of Oct. 26 after police were called to a strata meeting that allegedly got out of control. The video, which was posted on YouTube, appears to show an officer dragging a man down a staircase while another officer arrests a woman, who appears to fall at one point.

The couple, who are both 78 years old, allegedly refused to leave the meeting after being ordered to do so and police are saying they were resisting arrest.

WATCH: RCMP officers are captured on camera carrying out a violent arrest following a dispute at a strata meeting in Coquitlam.

Click to play video: 'Violent arrest of elderly couple caught on camera'
Violent arrest of elderly couple caught on camera

Myung Ju Lee and his wife, Kap Su Lee, told Global News they spent the night in the hospital after ending up with bruises, cuts and scrapes as a result of the incident.

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“[The police] walked up and did not say anything. Just walked up and grabbed us,” Myung Ju Lee said.

Lee claims the strata meeting was not over and there had been no screaming or fighting when police entered and grabbed him and his wife.

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“I don’t know where… where… where the police come in and grab my arm, and twist it and…  pulled [me out of the] meeting room… and pushed [me down] the stairs,” he said.

“I kept asking ‘Why you hit me? We are seniors, why you hit me and my wife? Why?'”

A statement from RCMP Supt. Sean Maloney said police were called to a hotel in Coquitlam after they received a report that fighting had broken out at a tenants meeting.

The meeting was stopped, but Maloney said officers arrested an elderly couple — who witnesses said had refused to leave — and police will be forwarding a report to the Crown about criminal charges.

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Police have not released updates on whether charges against the couple are still being investigated.

Maloney said a preliminary review of the video confirmed the involvement of Coquitlam RCMP members.

On Oct. 29, RCMP said New Westminster police have been asked to conduct an investigation that will look at the entire incident, including the actions of Coquitlam RCMP.

Lee believes the police officers involved should not only apologize but lose their jobs. Additionally the couple wants compensation for their physical and mental anguish due to the incident.

The couple have given a statement to Coquitlam police and will be getting a lawyer.

~ with files from Canadian Press

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