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Inquest finally called in police shooting

Family was denied official reports. Côte des Neiges man killed outside mosque under nebulous circumstances

by Irwin Block
Source: Montreal Gazette June 4, 2008

The family of a man shot dead by a Montreal police officer in front of a Côte des Neiges mosque in 2005 is relieved a public inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

Following a request from Mohamed-Anas Bennis's family, Quebec's chief coroner, Louise Nolet, yesterday ordered an inquest into his death. Nolet asked coroner Catherine Rudel-Tessier to "clarify the circumstances of the death and, if appropriate, make recommendations to better protect human life."

Bennis was shot to death Dec. 1, 2005, as he walked home from prayers at the mosque. Montreal police claim he attacked an officer with a knife - something the family flatly denies.

Alain Arsenault, the lawyer who is assisting the family, said Bennis's relatives are relieved there will be a public examination of his death.

"It has taken more than 2 1/2 years, and (the family) has some difficulty understanding why it has taken so long," he said in a phone interview.

"Usually, coroner's inquiries are fairly rapid. Still, they're relieved and are anxious that it be held so they to get all information on the death of their brother and son."

In March, Mohamed Bennis Sr., a financial consultant living in Casablanca, Morocco, said he suspected his son had been caught in an anti-terrorism operation and was shot because he was dressed as devout Muslim and was mistaken for a terrorist.

The Gazette reported two days after the incident that the officer who shot Bennis was assisting in a Sûreté du Québec operation involving a fraud ring.

According to investigators, Bennis is alleged to have attacked a Montreal police officer on the sidewalk, stabbing him with a knife in the neck and leg. Arsenault has said the police department refused to give the family any information about the alleged wound suffered by the officer.

The inquiry will begin in late August or early September.