No trial for police officer charged after ByWard Market arrest

An Ottawa police officerwill not be heading to trial afterassault and obstruction of justice charges stemming from a May 2018 arrest were withdrawn Friday.

Ottawa Police Service Const. Liban Farahwas charged by the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in August 2019 over concerns about the arrest,following which a man suffered a serious injury.

Michael Edelson, who represented Farah, said he was advised by Crown counsel that there was no longer a "reasonable prospect of conviction."

"[The Crown] felt the arrest by Const. Farah was not illegal and that [obstruction of justice] could not be proven," Edelson said.

Crown counsel advised the administrative judge the charges would be withdrawn during a short teleconference hearing, Edelson said.

"Twelve days of trial have been given back to the court," he said.

Decision 'welcomed and reasonable': police association

According to the SIU, Farah was patrolling the ByWard Market when he became "involved in an interaction" with a 24-year-old man around 2 a.m.

Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association, sent a letter Friday to members of his organization, callingthe decision to withdraw the charges "a welcomed and reasonable decision."

Farah had "received a tremendous amount of support from his colleagues and the community," Skof added, and was "truly appreciative."

"[Farah] is looking forward to returning to full duties and continuing to serve the Ottawa community," wrote Skof.

According to Edelson, Farah remains employed by Ottawa police.