Toronto police Chief Bill Blair has apologized to a man in a YouTube video which is at the centre of a controversy over police action during this summer's G20 protests.
In an earlier statement, Blair had said that the man being arrested was armed, and that the video of the arrest had been tampered with.
The YouTube clip, which has a noticeable gap of several seconds, shows six uniformed officers chasing and tackling 27-year-old Adam Nobody during a G20 protest.
But in a drastic reversal Friday, Blair clarified those statements and also apologized to Nobody.
"I have no evidence that he was armed or violent and all charges against the injured man have been withdrawn," said Blair in a statement released on Friday.
"I regret the false impression that my comments may have created and apologize to Mr. Nobody."
Nobody said he had to be taken to hospital for treatment of a fracture below his right eye.
Blair also sought to clarify the impression that the tape had been deliberately tampered with. Earlier, he said the tape had been "doctored to create a certain impression."
Analysis of the tape showed that there were several missing seconds, but the man who shot the video, John Bridge, said that he had shut off the camera so he could flee police.
But once he realized he was not the target of the chase, he again started shooting the scene.
Following Blair's earlier comments, the Special Investigations Unit said that it would reopen the investigation into the June 26 incident.
The video, which was posted to YouTube, has the title "'Toronto G20, Peaceful Protestor Tackled and Roughed Up."
"I wish to assure the public that I, and the Toronto Police Service, remain committed to accountability for our actions," said Blair in the statement.
Extraditions sought
Meanwhile, police say that three Americans have to be extradited back to Canada to be charged with more than 100 offences relating to damage which occurred during the G20 protests in June.
It's alleged that the three suspects are responsible for about $500,000 worth of property damage which occurred as riots broke out in the city's core during the high level summit.
Meanwhile, police have just released photos of 18 people who are also wanted for allegedly inflicting damage during the riots. Some of the photos appear to be of suspects who were previously identified.
So far, 39 people have been charged with a variety of criminal charges. Arrests have been made in the Toronto area and as far away as Quebec and British Columbia.
