Muslim group demands open investigation into death of Ottawa man after arrest
Posted Jul 26, 2016 09:32:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – A Canadian Muslim advocacy group is calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of an Ottawa man who was involved in a confrontation with police.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims says an investigation must look into whether racism played a role in the death of 37-year-old Abdirahman Abdi, a Somali-Canadian.
On Sunday, Abdi had a confrontation with Ottawa police officers and was later rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to a family spokesman.
The council’s executive director Ihsaan Gardee says a swift and open investigation must take place in order to ensure trust is rebuilt between police and the Muslim community.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is probing Abdi’s death.
The SIU investigates whenever there is a death, serious injury or allegation of sexual assault involving police in the province.
