Coroner’s inquest called into 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi

The Somali-Canadian man died in hospital one day after a confrontation with Ottawa Police Service officers.

Published Mar 15, 2024 • Last updated 15 hours ago • 2 minute read

A file handout photo of Abdirahman Abdi. THE CANADIAN PRESS

An inquest will be held into the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi in Ottawa, Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner announced Friday.

“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Abdi’s death,” said a news release from the office of Dr. Louis McNaughton-Filion, the regional supervising coroner. “The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.”

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An inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act, the announcement added.

Abdi, a 37-year-old Somali-Canadian died in hospital on July 25, 2016, the day after a confrontation with Ottawa Police Service officers during an arrest.

Initially an officer responded to a call at a Hintonburg coffee shop where a man had allegedly been sexually assaulting people before running down the street to the front steps of an apartment building on Hilda Street.

Another constable called as backup, used “plated” gloves to punch Abdi several times in the head.

Abdi was transported to hospital, but died the next day.

Const. Daniel Montsion was later charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, but a judge found him not guilty in October 2020.

Abdi’s death sparked several protests. An organization called The Justice for Abdirahman Coalition also formed, calling for accountability from law enforcement agencies.

Israh Yusuf, chair of the Justice for Abdirahman Coalition, said the announcement of the inquest had been a long time coming, but was still welcomed.

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“This will not serve justice for what happened with Abdirahman, given that the (criminal) trial has ended,” Yusuf said. “But it is a step in the right direction, and hopefully this inquest will dig deeper and maybe we’ll find out some more answers as to what really happened on that day that he passed.”

Abdi’s family filed a $1.5-million lawsuit in 2018 against the Ottawa Police Services Board, former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau and the constables involved in Abdi’s arrest. The lawsuit was settled in 2021, with the details remaining confidential.

The inquest will be conducted by a coroner in front of a jury. Date and location details for the inquest have yet to be announced.

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