'Our family hasn’t given up': Rally marks six-year anniversary of Soleiman Faqiri's death at Ontario jail
Friends, family, and supporters of the 30-year-old man who died in custody in an Ontario jail six years ago held a rally in downtown Toronto Saturday night to mark the anniversary of his death.
On Dec. 15, 2016, Soleiman Faqiri was beaten, pepper-sprayed, and restrained by guards at the Central East Correctional Facility, according to a 2021 report from Dr. Michael Pollanen, Ontario’s chief forensic pathologist.
Faqiri lived with schizophrenia and was remanded to the Lindsay, Ont. jail on Dec. 5 while he waited to be transferred to a mental health facility.
“Six years on, our family hasn’t given up on justice for our beloved Soli,” Yusuf Faqiri, Soleiman’s brother, said in a news release ahead of the rally.
Pollanen concluded Faqiri’s enlarged heart, his “violent struggle” with jail guards in the segregation cell, and his multiple injuries were significant factors contributing to his death.
In August 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) declined – for the third time – to lay criminal charges against the guards involved in Faqiri’s death, despite Pollanen’s report.
The OPP said there was “insufficient evidence to form the requisite grounds to believe a criminal offence has been committed,” according to an email obtained by CTV News.
“If that’s insufficient evidence, I don’t know what else there is left to [do to] hold criminal accountability to the death [of] Soleiman Faqiri. OPP seems to think that there should be a different standard, and that’s a problem,” Yusuf told CTV News, following the OPP’s decision. A coroner’s inquest is planned, but no date has been set yet.
The rally for Faqiri was held at Yonge-Dundas Square and began at 6 p.m.
“We have fought for truth, and we will continue to fight for criminal accountability, with supporters from across Canada who believe that people suffering from mental illness deserve to be taken care of, not found dead as a result of being beaten to death,” Yusuf said.
With files from CTV News’ Heather Wright, Tom Yun, Phil Tsekouras, and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.