Taser Kills Again in Canada

Another taser-related death was reported in Canada as Turkish authorities are paving the way to implement the usage of electro-shock weapon among policemen.

The incident took place in Montreal as police confronted drug-influenced Daniel Ménard on their way to rescue another drug-addict woman in coma.

Initially, police pointed their taser at Ménard to calm him down, an attempt that failed and was preceded with a pistol intervention. Shot, Ménard (41) died on way to the hospital.

At least 500 casualties so far

Tasers are used across 126 countries including the US, UK and Canada.

On several occasions, Amnesty International and major human rights associations condemned the usage of tasers, saying that it was cruel and open to abuse which caused deaths.

According to an Amnesty International report, 334 deaths were reported due to tazers usage in the US between 2001 and 2008. In Canada, at keast 25 cases were reported around the same period. 

“The toll exceeded 500 by 2012 and 90 percent of victims were unarmed,” the report cited. 

Turkish policemen will also use tasers. 20 tasers were shipped to Preemptive Services Police in order to be used in cases including violence against women, kidnapping, assault to police and suicide. (NV/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.