Charges against one of two groups of Calgary Eritreans arrested following a brawl last Sept. 2, have been withdrawn by the Crown.
Calgary’s prosecution service dropped the charges against eight members of a so-called “white group,” based on the colour of their shirts, earlier this month.
Charges against members of the so-called “blue group” are proceeding and three separate trials have been scheduled for next year in January, February and April, in Calgary Court of Justice.
A statement from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service said the decision to withdraw the charges against the eight individuals followed a review of the case.
“The assigned prosecutors conducted a review of the charges against these individuals and concluded that the test for prosecution was not met and as such charges have been withdrawn,” the statement said.
Calgary police laid dozens of charges against 28 individuals following a clash last Sept. 2, between groups of separate members of the city’s Eritrean diaspora, including allegations of participating in a riot.
Violence broke out at approximately 5 p.m. when police officers responded to reports of a large conflict at the Falconridge Plaza shopping centre outside the Magnolia Banquet Hall.
The two clashing groups comprised members of Calgary’s Eritrean community with opposing political views of ongoing strike in the African country. The brawl included approximately 150 people, some using sticks, rocks and bats as weapons.
“While we maintain our belief that it is in the public interest to prosecute all the individuals charged, we respect that the Crown applies a different test when determining whether to prosecute than the police do when laying charges,” they said.
“The CPS will continue to vigorously respond to any future incidents of violence in our city. There is no room for behaviour like this in our community and we will continue with strong enforcement efforts against such actions.”
-with files from Scott Strasser
X: @KMartinCourts