Jaajef wa G-L;

Many G-Lers, especially those in the UK may re-call the untimely death
of Birame Sey in police custody here in London in March 1996. At the
time there were several demonstration protesting at what happened.
Now 4 years later a coroner has determined that Briam was unlawfully
killed by the police, although no action has yet been taken against any
police officer over the killing.

Birame was arrested after a domestic incident at his home. He was
taken to Iford police station and sprayed in the face repeatedly with CS
gas whilst handcuffed and immobilised on the floor. At the time the
police said he died as a result of a "heart condition".

After his death there was a large picket of the police station, followed a
couple of weeks later by a large very vocal, but peaceful demonstration
bringing together over 1000 members of the Gambian community in
London. Even though the case went publically quiet, the family have
carried on pusueing the case. This has finally been vindicated in the
ruling by the Walthamstow Coroner Dr Harold Price, after the jury had
returned a verdict of "unlawful killing". The cause of death was
described as being "restrained asphyxia" and "excited delirium".

What now remains to be seen is whether any action will be taken
against the police officers who carried out this deed.

Yeenduleen ak jaama

Tony

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