Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

David Eby supports police who secretly took DNA from Kurds to solve B.C. murder

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jan, 2024 02:03 PM
  • David Eby supports police who secretly took DNA from Kurds to solve B.C. murder

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he supports police who secretly collected DNA from members of the Kurdish community to solve the murder of a 13-year-old girl, saying he "really struggles" with the idea that they should not have done so.

Eby says the victim's rights were "profoundly and unalterably violated" by her killer, and police actions made the community safe from a predator.

His remarks come after The Canadian Press revealed that police posed as tea marketers to collect DNA from about 150 Kurdish community members without their permission at a 2018 festival.

The operation ultimately led to the arrest of Ibrahim Ali, who was convicted last month of first-degree murder for the 2017 killing of the girl, who can't be named because of a publication ban.

Police had previously determined that whoever left the DNA on the victim's body was likely of Kurdish ethnicity, leading to the targeting of the festival where a brother of Ali unwittingly provided a sample that gave police their breakthrough.

Eby told an unrelated news conference on Monday that many British Columbians “recoiled in horror” at the murder in Burnaby that "shattered" parents' sense of safety in the province.

"The police went out, identified the suspect, arrested him and he was successfully prosecuted," said Eby.

"To now, after the trial is complete, after these issues have all been considered, to be going back to say to the police (that) they should not have done what they did? I really struggle with that analysis," he said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act
The federal Liberal government has reached a deal with Google over the Online News Act, following threats from the digital giant that it would remove news from its search platform in Canada. A government official confirmed that news to The Canadian Press under condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the deal.

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver
Environment Canada says thick fog is leading to near-zero visibility throughout the Metro Vancouver area. A blanket of fog has hung over the Lower Mainland since Sunday.   

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves
British Columbia's economy is forecast to grow one per cent in 2023, a drop from the 1.2 per cent predicted earlier by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry's second quarterly report also forecasts slower economic growth for next year of 0.7 per cent.

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves

Pilot dies in small plane crash in B.C.'s East Kootenay region, RCMP say

Pilot dies in small plane crash in B.C.'s East Kootenay region, RCMP say
RCMP say the pilot of a plane is dead after it crashed in British Columbia's East Kootenay region on Friday. Columbia Valley RCMP say in a news release that they received a report of a small plane crashing on the Bugaboo side of the valley on Friday afternoon.   

Pilot dies in small plane crash in B.C.'s East Kootenay region, RCMP say

Two teens dead in Quesnel crash

Two teens dead in Quesnel crash
Two 17-year-olds have died in a crash 13 kilometres east of Quesnel. A statement from Quesnel R-C-M-P say the youths -- a male and female --died early Sunday morning.

Two teens dead in Quesnel crash

Video of dog mauling small goat prompts investigation in Merritt:RCMP

Video of dog mauling small goat prompts investigation in Merritt:RCMP
Police in British Columbia's southern Interior hope they can find the original owner of a small white goat that was fatally mauled by a dog. A statement from Merritt RCMP says an investigation began Nov. 24, when officers were alerted to an online post showing a pit bull in a house, violently attacking the goat as several people watched.

Video of dog mauling small goat prompts investigation in Merritt:RCMP