Ottawa constable facing manslaughter charge in 2016 death of Somali Canadian man

“The SIU investigation determined that in the morning of Sunday, July 24, 2016 . . . there was an interaction between officers and Mr. Abdi . . . and he went into medical distress,” the unit said in a statement.

“Mr. Abdi was transported to Ottawa Civic Hospital where he died the next day.”

In response to the charges, Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau acknowledged Abdi’s death was “very difficult” for his family and caused a rift in the community and he asked that the courts be allowed to do their job.

“The officer involved, like any member of the community going through a similar process, deserves to be treated fairly,” Bordeleau said in a statement.

“Our members are professional and they care about this community.”

Lawrence Greenspon, the lawyer for Abdi’s family, said he is confident justice will be served in the case, although convictions of police officers charged with serious crimes in Ontario have been rare.

“I’m confident that the criminal justice process will be proceeded through with everybody doing their proper jobs,” Greenspon said at a hastily arranged news conference at his downtown Ottawa office.

“In this case, there is a large body of evidence and the Crown is intent on working with that body of evidence.”

The confrontation with Abdi took place shortly after police were called to a coffee shop in response to reports of a man causing a disturbance.

Police caught up to Abdi a few blocks away outside his apartment building, where cellphone videos showed the man lying on his stomach, handcuffed, while two constables held him down.

Witnesses at the time reported that a man had groped customers at the coffee shop, although the SIU report into its investigation of what transpired leading up to Abdi’s confrontation with the officers is not being released. That report is now in the hands of Crown prosecutors.

There have been no indications of whether a second officer who was at the scene with Montsion will face any charges, said Greenspon.

Abdi’s death sparked multiple protests in Ottawa, as well as in Toronto and Montreal.

— Follow @tpedwell on Twitter

Terry Pedwell, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said the SIU report was in the hands of the attorney general

by Canadian Press

Ottawa constable facing manslaughter charge in 2016 death of Somali Canadian man

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