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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.