Senegal accuses police of 'savagely beating' one of its Ottawa diplomats
Global Affairs Canada says it is "extremely concerned" about allegations that a Senegalese diplomat was detained and beaten by police last week.
"What happened was simply unacceptable," Sabrine Barakat, a spokeswoman for Global Affairs wrote in an email Saturday.
The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the diplomat, who works at the West African nation's embassy in Ottawa, was restrained and assaulted at her Gatineau, Que., home on Aug. 2.
She was "handcuffed and savagely beaten, to the point that she had difficulty breathing, which led to her being taken to the hospital by ambulance," the ministry said in a release dated Thursday but only made public on Friday.
The ministry did not immediately offer further details on her condition.
The Gatineau Police Service said in a news release, issued Friday evening in response to the claims made by the Senegalese government, that officers were called to assist a bailiff who was attempting to execute a court order on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the subject of the court order, identified only as a woman with diplomatic status, was "aggressive and refused to cooperate."
They alleged that when officers attempted to explain the process, the woman struck a female police officer in the face.
The officers then decided to arrest the woman "for the safety of everyone present," according to the release. Police alleged the woman resisted arrest, bit another officer and was then tackled to the ground, where she was restrained.
The bailiff then carried out the court order while the woman was "detained in the back of a patrol vehicle, under the supervision of a police officer," the police statement said. "At no time did the person mention being injured or in pain when questioned."
Police say they were called back to the same location, around an hour and a half after they first arrived, by paramedics who were treating the woman, but did not offer further details, only saying that around 10 people were present.
The Senegalese government said the charge d'affairs at the Canadian Embassy in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, was summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry so officials could "vigorously denounce and strongly condemn this racist and barbaric act."
A note of protest has been sent to the Canadian government, it said.
"The government of Senegal has demanded that an investigation be launched without delay and that charges be brought against the perpetrators of this unacceptable assault, which constitutes a serious infringement of the person's physical integrity and human dignity, as well as a flagrant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," the ministry said.
Barakat said Canada takes its obligations under the convention -- which gives diplomats immunity from any form of detention or arrest -- very seriously.
"We are working diligently with the different levels of government involved and look forward to a thorough investigation," she wrote. "Minister Joly is in contact with her Senegalese counterpart. Canada will continue to fully cooperate with Senegal to address this regrettable situation."
Gatineau police said they've notified provincial and federal authorities about the incident and that they've asked the province's prosecution service to lay charges of assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer. In Quebec, the decision of whether to lay charges is made by the prosecution service.
The police service said it will not comment further, due to the possibility of judicial proceedings, but that it will cooperate with any investigations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.