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Justice for Anas: We want the truth!
January 31st 2007
On December 1st, 2005 -- more than one year ago -- police officer Bernier from Station 25 shot and killed Anas Bennis, a 25-year old Canadian of Moroccan heritage. Anas was killed outside a neighborhood mosque at the corner of Côte-des-Neiges and Kent, just minutes from his home.
The police claim that Anas inexplicably attacked them with a kitchen knife. However, Anas' family and friends find this hard to believe. They are frustrated by the attitude of the authorities who refuse to make the evidence available, including a videotape that captured the incident.
On January 7th, 2006, in the freezing cold, approximately 4500 people participated in a demonstration to demand a public inquiry into Anas' death. In December 2006, the first anniversary of Anas' death was marked by vigils at the location he was killed.
There has never been any public inquiry, but Quebec City police undertook a closed investigation. On November 4th, 2006, the crown prosecutor decided that no criminal charges would be laid against the police officers, yet he has refused to provide a written copy of his report to the Bennis family. Likewise, the police report remains secret, suppressed by Quebec Minister of Public Security Jacques Dupuis.
No satisfactory explanation for Anas' death by police has been offered to the Bennis family. The mystery and secrecy surrounding this case reinforces the belief that Anas Bennis was killed by police in a case of racial and religious profiling.
The Justice for Anas Coalition, under the leadership of the Bennis family, is relaunching its efforts in 2007; we demand:
- the immediate release of all reports, evidence and information concerning the death of Anas Bennis to the Bennis family and to the public;
- a full, public and independent inquiry into the death of Anas Bennis;
- police accountability, and an end to racial profiling and police impunity.