“The efforts of the Brotherhood to cover up the circumstances surrounding Anas’ death have been overcome. This in itself is a victory that we are celebrating today. However, the Bennis family’s pain has persisted after five years of struggle, especially since they have been met with disdain and a striking lack of transparency on the part of the authorities”, said Samir Shaheen-Hussain, of the Justice for Anas Coalition.

Meanwhile, the damning reports that have come to light recently in the coroner’s inquiry surrounding the death of Fredy Villanueva highlight the role that racial profiling plays in police interventions. Indeed, in recent months, this issue has taken on more prominence in the case of Anas’ killing, especially in light of the fact that, in June of this year, the Police Ethics Committee found officer Jonathan Roy -- who was with Yannick Bernier when Anas was shot and killed -- guilty of five infractions of the Police Ethics Code in an incident of racial profiling and brutality in Côte-des-Neiges that occurred in 2008; Roy recently received a cumulative suspension of 23 days.

“Five years later, the questions surrounding the death of my brother remain. My brother was a calm, sweet person. It is this memory that we are honouring today”, said Najlaa Bennis, Anas’ sister.

Anas Bennis was shot twice and killed by Montreal police officer Yannick Bernier on December 1st 2005, while returning home from morning prayers. This tragic event, which took place at the corner of Kent and Côte-des-Neiges, has scarred the neighborhood with yet another instance of police brutality and impunity.

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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: justicepouranas@gmail.com

Coalition Justice pour Anas