Soleiman Faqiri
Soleiman Faqiri, 30, died after being restrained in Ontario jail in December 2016.
Faqiri was held at the correctional centre for 11 days before he died. He was awaiting transfer to a hospital for acute psychiatric care. He suffered from schizophrenia. He was restrained by 6 guards when he was having a mental health crisis. The events happened in the cell with no video surveillance. Guards pinned him to the floor, handcuffed him and used pepper-spray and a spit hood.
Initially, coroners said the cause of death could not be determined, but in August 2021, a report by pathologists was published, according to which Faqiri died from a combination of factors which individually are not fatal. Experts found that Faqiri’s cause of death, is: “Prone position restraint and musculocutaneous injuries sustained during struggle, exertion and pepper spray exposure.”
After publication of the report was announced a review into Faqiri’s death. His family wants involved guards to be criminally charged.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“We now know that Soleiman Faqiri was killed with a lethal combination of excessive force,” said Edward Marrocco, one of the lawyers representing the family.
“Those responsible for Mr. Faqiri’s death have been allowed to go about their lives without any consequences or accountability for their actions for almost five years. No longer. We call on the Ontario Provincial Police and the provincial Crown attorney to lay criminal charges against guards who participated in and were responsible for the death of Soleiman Faqiri,” the joint statement of human rights organizations reads.
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from Attorney General of Canada David T. Lametti and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.