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Poland seeks to discuss Taser shooting with Canadian ambassador

Last Updated: Thursday, November 15, 2007 | 9:07 PM ET

CBC News

Canada's ambassador to Poland has been invited to sit down with Polish officials in Warsaw on Monday to discuss the death of Robert Dziekanski after he was stunned by an RCMP Taser at Vancouver International Airport.

Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski says the Polish embassy in Ottawa has been flooded with e-mails and phone calls from Canadians expressing sympathy and outrage over what happened to Robert Dziekanski.
(CBC)

Many Poles view it as a case of excessive force by police using a weapon that may be unsafe, Piotr Ogrodzinski, the Polish ambassador to Canada, said in Ottawa on Thursday.

Ogrodzinski told CBC News the Polish embassy has been flooded with e-mails and phone calls from Canadians expressing sympathy and outrage over what happened to Dziekanski on Oct. 14.

"I believe Canadians are extremely compassionate and they have this feeling of sympathy … to help someone who seems to be helpless and disoriented."

Ogrodzinski said he has seen the Taser video many times and finds it sad — particularly when it appears Dziekanski might have been relieved to see the RCMP arrive.

Before police arrived Robert Dziekanski picked up office furniture and began to place it in the doorway between the customs area and the public lounge. (Paul Pritchard)

"The video does not give us a clear recording of what he was shouting but what I have heard in Polish is the beginning … Pol, which could be either policja — in other words calling for police — or pomocy, which in Polish means help," Ogrodzinski said.

Ogrodzinski said his country has "invited" Canada's ambassador in Warsaw to meet Polish officials on Monday to discuss the Dziekanski case and how it might unfold.

He also had praise for Paul Pritchard, the man who videotaped and later released the Taser video, calling him a "global citizen."

This story is now closed to commenting.

Internal Links

AUDIO: Polish Ambassador to Canada Piotr Ogrodzinski reacts to Taser video (Runs 11:29)
VIDEO: Federal Liberal public safety critic Ujjal Dosanjh wants national Taser review (Runs 5:55)
Taser video shows RCMP shocked immigrant within 25 seconds of their arrival
Cash for Taser video will pay for father's medical treatment: Pritchard

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