G20 protester 'grateful' for police charge

Adam Nobody, whose arrest and injuries during a G20 summit protest this summer led to charges against a Toronto police officer, says he's "grateful to know that finally somebody has been held accountable."

Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani was charged Tuesday with assault with a weapon following an investigation by the province's Special Investigations Unit.

Nobody, among about 1,000 people arrested during the protest-ridden two-day summit, suffered a broken nose and a fracture below his right eye on June 26 outside the Ontario legislature.

Images of at least a dozen officers swarming Nobody, 27, were captured on video and posted on YouTube.

"It's a reassuring fact knowing that accountability has been laid on somebody," Nobody said Wednesday on CBC's Metro Morning, adding that he feels vindicated.

"It all started months and months ago when I was bloodied, and that was horrific in itself," he said. "And just now it's nice to see that it's coming around. I'm no longer deemed the bad guy. I'm not the criminal protester."

He also thanked the media for reporting on the incident and ensuring his case didn't get "swept under the rug."

Nobody singled out John Bridge, the witness who posted the original YouTube video, as being instrumental in providing evidence of the alleged assault.

Stillhas trouble breathing, experiencespain

Sunil Mathai, one of Nobodys lawyers, said he's surprised it is taking so long to identify officers involved. He blamed the slow response on what he believed to be a lack of co-operation from officers in dealing with the SIU.

"When Toronto police do an internal investigation, theyre able to get the identities of 90 officers," Mathai said, referring to a separate case. "But somehow, when the SIU get involved, theyre unable to get the identities oftwo officers."

The SIU is an arms-length agency that probes matters that involve police in serious injury or death.

Nobody said he is recovering from his injuries, but still experiences pain and cant run as fast as he used to due to breathing problems.

"But I'm a survivor," he said.

Andalib-Goortani is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24.