Quebec orders investigation after Gatineau police allegedly beat Senegalese diplomat
Quebec is asking its provincial police watchdog (BEI) to investigate after a Senegalese diplomat was reportedly beaten by Gatineau officers.
The investigation was ordered by Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault, according to a Saturday press release from the Quebec government, which referred to the police intervention as one that "raises questions."
"The minister may, in exceptional cases, instruct the BEI to conduct an inquiry into any event involving a peace officer and related to their duties," the release states.
The order was triggered at the request of Andrée Laforest, the acting minister of international relations and the francophonie, because "the first counsellor of the embassy of Senegal in Canada has diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention of 1961."
DIPLOMAT 'SAVAGELY BEATEN': SENEGAL
On Friday, Senegal's Foreign Affairs Ministry reported "a raid of rare violence" at the home of a diplomat serving at the Embassy of Senegal in Ottawa.
The woman was "handcuffed and savagely beaten to the point that she had difficulty breathing, which led to her evacuation by ambulance to hospital," the ministry alleged.
Police, however, had a different version of events.
In a statement, the Gatineau police service (SPVG) said officers arrived at the diplomat's home around 1:30 on Tuesday to assist a bailiff in executing a warrant.
They said the woman was aggressive and refused to coorperate, allegedly striking one officer and biting another.
"At no time did the person mention having been injured or having pain when questioned," the statement reads.
The incident prompted a statement from Global Affairs Canada.
In an email, a spokesperson for the department said it is "extremely concerned by the alleged treatment of a Senegalese diplomat by the Gatineau police."
"What happened was simply unacceptable."
With files from The Canadian Press.
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.