A Misunderstanding?

Imagine, owing $73,9094.26 in fines representing traffic violations and provincial offences. Doesn't sound very civil, not the least. Nor does it sound as though someone responsible for so many offences against civil society should be free to continue his ordinary life as though nothing was amiss in the chronicles of citizen-behaviour in the heart of a democracy that does have certain disciplinary rules to maintain public order.

On the other hand, it seems from what has been reported there are three others on a list of those owing the City of Ottawa fines for similar violations who precede him. Because of the series of traffic violations it would appear that his driving license was suspended. At least that much done to protect public safety. And what a record, actually! His name is Abdunnur H-Luqman, and he was charged in 2010 with obstructing a police officer, and with common assault that same year as well.

He operated "Your Muslim moving company", listed in a Muslim business directory up until July 2013. The business was named Luqrative Moves, based in Ottawa, but operating as well between Toronto and Montreal. His most recent address appears to be within a community-housing complex and his business appears to have failed, contact numbers no longer in effective service.

Just incidentally, apart from being on the Ottawa police watchlist, he is also known to the RCMP as someone whose actions and activities require special vigilance. Why that might be is that he has been monitored by the RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team as well as the surveillance unit of the Ontario Provincial Police for some time.

INSET's mandate is that of tracking and disrupting criminal behaviour of known terrorist groups or individuals deemed to pose a potential threat to national security. And this man, Luqman Abdunnur, 39, is on a very special list. The national force happened to be monitoring people and Mr. Abdunnur was one of those people. He was targeted for a traffic stop on Saturday by two Ottawa police officers.

Mr. Abdunnur became "combative" at the stop when police asked him to exit his vehicle and place his hands on the trunk. When he began pacing and chanting the officers making the stop felt some concern, as did OPP officers nearby witnessing the interaction as part of their surveillance activities. As he began to race away from the police a Taser was used, without success, in the attempt to subdue him.

He responded by punching a police officer in the face, which led a member of the OPP surveillance unit to exit his unmarked black police SUV and draw his weapon. Firing a single gunshot that didn't hit the fleeing suspect, the Taser was used again, and it took effect. Mr. Abdunnur now faces charges of assaulting police, obstructing a peace officer, resisting a peace officer and driving under suspension.

However, similar to his forgetfulness in paying those fines, he failed to show up in court since the charges haven't yet been laid. Goodness gracious, why not?