A date has been set for the inquest into the death of Abdirahman Abdi in Ottawa in 2016.

Abdi, 37, died in hospital on July 25, 2016, a day after being arrested outside his apartment building on Hilda Street. Abdi allegedly groped a woman in a nearby cafe. He ran when police arrived and was arrested outside the building. During the arrest, Const. Daniel Montsion hit Abdi several times in the head with gloves pressed to his knuckles. Abdi was taken to hospital after his arrest and died shortly afterwards.

Montsion was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in Abdi’s death. He was found not guilty of all charges in 2020, following a 72-day trial.

A lawsuit filed by Abdi’s family against the Ottawa Police Services Board was settled in 2021, but the details remained confidential.

Senior regional coroner Dr Louise McNaughton-Filion said the inquest would begin on November 18 and was expected to last 21 days. He will hear 25 witnesses.

The inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

Dr David Eden will be the session chair. Maria Stevens and Alessandra Hollands will serve as attorneys for the investigation. The investigation will examine the circumstances of Abdi’s death. The jury can make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

The investigation will take place by videoconference and can be viewed online.