The Associated Press
Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is calling for an investigation into the death of a Toronto man who was allegedly beaten by police.
The prime minister is seeking details about the death on Tuesday of 39-year-old Oscar Bartholomew, a spokesman said.
Bartholomew, who was originally from Grenada, had returned to the Caribbean island to celebrate the Christmas holidays with family and friends.
According to media reports, Bartholomew had hugged a female police officer whom he mistook for an old friend.
Oscar Bartholomew died after allegedly being beaten by police in Grenada. (Courtesy Grenada Broadcast)Bartholomew "hugged and lifted her off the ground before recognizing that it was a case of mistaken identity. His actions were viewed as assault on a police officer," Grenada Broadcast reported on its website.
"He was then apprehended and beaten by police, before succumbing to his injuries at the General Hospital," the media outlet reported.
A spokesperson for the Royal Grenada Police Force said the incident happened on Monday at about 2 p.m. local time and that the force is investigating.
Another police officer suggested Bartholomew may have been resisting arrest.
"It is very unfortunate and senior officers have actually visited the relatives and the next of kin of the deceased to officially inform them of the unfortunate incident. We have also extended our deepest condolences on the behalf of the commissioner and the force. So it is not something that we feel happy about," Supt. Dunbar Belson told CBC News.
Police have declined any further comment and said they would issue a statement later.
George Grant of Grenada Broadcast told CBC News on Wednesday that there have been several allegations cases of police brutality against the RGPF in the past few years.
At least three cases of police brutality were reported in 2011.
Grant said police launch investigations into the charges, but never reveal the outcomes.
Bartholomew was living in Toronto and married to a Canadian.
According to his family, he and his wife were in Grenada to visit relatives over Christmas.
A spokesman for the Canadian High Commission said a statement was expected to be released soon.
In Ottawa, a Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the department is “aware of reports of the death of a permanent resident of Canada in Grenada. Our thoughts and condolences are with those affected by this tragedy.”
