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Friday February 20, 2009

A photo of Rihanna with injuries from an alleged assault by Chris Brown has surfaced on online.

The picture, obtained by TMZ and seen to the left of this article, shows the Umbrella singer – who turns 21 years old tomorrow – with a swollen, bloody lip, two black eyes and marks on her forehead.

Los Angeles police launched an internal investigation Thursday night following the unauthorized release of the photo.

“The unauthorized release of a domestic violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation,” says a statement from the LAPD. “At about 7 p.m. on February 19, 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown. The photograph appeared on an entertainment website. 

“The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation.  

“The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence.  

“The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint.    

“A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination.”

Brown – who was booked by police on suspicion of making criminal threats on Sunday, Feb. 8 – has been freed on $50,000 bail and is currently back home with his family in Virginia.

In a statement released this past weekend, Brown said, “Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.

“I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person.”

Rihanna, 20, is yet to speak out with regards to the incident, although her father, Ronald Fenty, has said, “She’s doing OK.

“She has support from both sides of the family, and I think she’ll come out and represent women and be a heroine. In the end, she’ll speak out.”

“No, I haven’t seen her,” said Fenty, refusing to reveal whether Rihanna is back home in her native Barbados. “I haven’t seen her bruises.”