On Campus

Lawsuit planned over violent Western arrest

Student, 22, is charged with resisting arrest, assaulting police and escaping custody

The lawyer for a University of Western Ontario student whose violent arrest last month was caught on video plans to file a lawsuit.

The 22-year-old man is charged with resisting arrest, assaulting a peace officer and escaping custody and will appear in court Nov. 19.

Police have said force was needed to subdue and arrest the man that they allege was threatening and combative.

Lawyer Phil Millar says the lawsuit has yet to be filed but it will likely involve the university, London police and campus police.

He also says his client, Irnes Zeljkovic, remains in a psychiatric hospital and “is not doing very well.”

Some Western students, meanwhile, plan to hold a rally later Wednesday against what they call police brutality.

Earlier this week, the university said the Oct. 14 incident would be reviewed independently by former provincial police commissioner Gwen Boniface while another review is conducted by London police.

– The Canadian Press

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.