Toronto Police Officer Found Guilty of Attacking Nobody at G20 Summit

The Toronto constable who allegedly assaulted a protester at the G20 summit has been criminally convicted.

Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani used excessive force while arresting Adam Nobody who was protesting at the G20 summit on June 26, 2010. The conviction of the Toronto police officer is being considered as a feather to the crown of hundreds of protesters who were taken into police custody that weekend in 2010. The incident happened 3 years ago on the Ontario legislature lawn.

Justice Louise Botham convicted Const. Andalib-Goortani of assault using a weapon. Const. Andalib-Goortani had an uncalled-for altercation with Mr Nobody who was arrested later on in Queen's Park, considered to be a safe haven for protesters as it was designated a demonstration zone. Over a thousand people were also arrested during the weekend due to their protest against the G20 and G8 summits. This is considered to be the largest mass arrest in the history of the nation.

Justice Botham found Const. Andalib-Goortani's assault on Mr Nobody needless. As Mr Nobody's resistance was minimal, Justice Botham noted in her 10-page judgment that the defendant's blows were not proportionate. She also said that a police officer is not allowed to use unlimited force to affect an arrest. Const. Andalib-Goortani, among over 90 other officers, was also accused of not wearing the mandatory police identification during this incident. Justice Botham watched a video footage of the incident to consider the same as conclusive evidence.

Mr Nobody was talking to the press after the judgment. He expressed his happiness over the conviction, saying that justice was served after 3 years. He said that it proved police officers would not be able to get away with such incidents in future. Police officers are not allowed to attack citizens, he added.

Const. Andalib-Goortani is going to be on restricted duties until November 8 when the sentencing hearing is expected to take place.