Video is going viral of Montreal transit officers (Societe de transport de Montreal or STM for short) arresting a man by apparently restraining and choking him on the ground of the Guy-Concordia metro station on Friday evening after a bystander posted it online.
The man allegedly attempted to use his girlfriend’s transit pass to gain access to the system but was tackled and restrained by officers before doing so.
In the video, the man can be seen struggling beneath two officers while an unidentified woman, presumably his girlfriend, is held back by a third officer. The man can be heard yelling, "You’re choking me!" His girlfriend shouted at the officers that, "He can’t breathe!"
Montreal police were called to the scene by witnesses who reported they were disturbed by what they were seeing. Police questioned everyone at the station including the transit officers who claimed the 33 year-old man uttered death threats at them.
The man refused to be taken to hospital despite his injuries, however was escorted to a police station for questioning. His name has not been released and STM are not commenting pending further investigation. STM did however say they intend to press charges against the man for the death threats.