Abdirahman Abdi’s death was a homicide, the coroner’s inquest jury concluded.
The five jurors also made 57 recommendations aimed at preventing other deaths like that of the 38-year-old man who died on July 25, 2016 the day after a brutal arrest.
In the context of a coroner’s inquest, the term homicide
does not imply any legal blame. This means the jury concluded that the cause of Mr Abdi’s death was injury inflicted non-accidentally
by a third person.
The police officer who was accused in this case, Daniel Montsion, was acquitted in 2020 after a long trial. He was charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
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In the wake of the death of the Canadian of Somali origin, a movement called “Justice for Abdirahman” took shape, organizing several rallies, notably in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Mississauga. (Archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / FRED CHARTRAND
The recommendations were read Tuesday evening, at the conclusion of the virtual investigation which lasted a month, from November 18 to December 17.
The majority of recommendations are intended for the Ottawa Police Service. They mainly aim to improve the training that police officers receive on the use of force.
De-escalation techniques, response to mental health crisis cases as well as anti-Black racism are all points that need to be improved in the training of peace officers, according to the five members of the jury.
A word for the Abdi family
The Dr. David Eden is the one who chaired the investigation. After listing the 57 recommendations, he wanted to address a few words to the family of Abdirahman Abdi, who did not want this investigation which, she explained, revives bad memories.
Despite the family’s wishes, however, a coroner’s inquest was mandatory, as is always the case when a person dies due to an injury sustained in the custody of a police officer.
During the investigation, it was learned that Mr. Abdi was a beloved family man, friend and community member who died tragically after an interaction with police. The purpose of the investigation was to learn to prevent other families from experiencing what you experienced.
said Dr. Eden to conclude.
With information from Mario de Ciccio and Guy Quenneville, CBC News
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