Latest news with #Boalag
CBC
19-04-2025
- CBC
Sofyan Boalag provoked his own stabbing, attorney general says in court filings
Social Sharing A serial rapist who says he was left permanently disabled by a prison attack was the author of his own misfortune, according to a statement of defence filed by the Attorney General of Canada in federal court. Sofyan Boalag, whose spree of sexual assaults terrorized St. John's in 2012, is suing the federal government. He's alleging staff at a federal prison failed to protect him from a stabbing in February 2023, which left him unable to walk for the rest of his life. In a statement of defence, however, the feds say Boalag brought it on himself. Among the particulars of his "contributory negligence," the statement of defence claims: "[Boalag] failed to inform the [prison staff] of any risks to his personal safety," "He provoked the other inmate involved in the incident," "He failed to take reasonable steps to avoid the incident," "He failed to keep a proper lookout," "He failed to ensure his own safety," "He conducted himself in a reckless manner." The filing also claims Boalag got the date wrong in his statement of claim — saying the incident happened on Feb. 12, 2023, nine days after the date referenced in Boalag's filings. It also denied Boalag's claim that he'll never walk again, and put the onus on him to prove it. Boalag was convicted of raping two women and a 15-year-old girl in Newfoundland during the summer and fall of 2012. There were six complainants in total, with women describing how he choked them unconscious and threatened them with a knife on city streets in the early hours of the morning. He was convicted in 2016, and declared a dangerous offender by the courts — resulting in an indeterminate prison sentence. He was at the Atlantic Institution in Renous, N.B., at the time of the incident, but has since been moved to a prison in Ontario. Boalag says he was attacked from behind, failed by staff According to Boalag's lawsuit, filed by Halifax-area lawyer Laura Neilan, the inmates were released from their cells to line up for medication. Boalag says a man came up behind him, and he didn't see the attack coming. He says correctional officers failed to intervene in a timely fashion, leaving him vulnerable to multiple stabs from a "sharp weapon." The lawsuit claims the attacker was a man with "pre-indicators of violence" toward Boalag. It alleges prison staff failed to prevent weapons from entering the facility, failed to search inmates before allowing them to line up, and ignored internal policy by letting multiple inmates out of their cells at the same time. In its statement of defence, lawyers for the attorney general deny the claims, saying "at all times material it provided adequate supervision of inmates, including [Boalag]." They also say Boalag received "reasonable, necessary and adequate" medical assistance. They're asking a judge to dismiss his claim with costs awarded to the federal government. The statements made by Boalag and the attorney general have not yet been tested in court.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Serial rapist Sofyan Boalag sues after being stabbed in N.B. prison, left unable to walk
A man who terrorized women in St. John's in 2012 is now suing the federal government, saying he'll never walk again after being stabbed at a prison in Renous, N.B. Sofyan Boalag's statement of claim says he was incarcerated at the Atlantic Institution on Feb. 3, 2023, when prison staff opened the doors to all cells in one corridor simultaneously so inmates could line up for medication. Boalag says he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly. "The plaintiff says that his injuries were catastrophic in nature, rendering him unable to walk for the rest of his life," reads the statement of claim, filed in Federal Court on Jan. 20. Boalag was convicted of raping two women and a 15-year-old girl in Newfoundland during the summer and fall of 2012. There were six complainants in total, with women describing how he choked them unconscious and threatened them with a knife on city streets in the early hours of the morning. His spree led to widespread fear in the downtown core and a police warning prior to his arrest in December 2012. Boalag was convicted in 2016, and declared a dangerous offender by the courts — resulting in an indeterminate prison sentence. WATCH | CBC Investigates reporter Ryan Cooke breaks down the latest on Sofyan Boalag's new lawsuit: "I am not satisfied that there is a reasonable expectation that the public can be adequately protected from Mr. Boalag by a measure less than an indeterminate sentence," Judge Pamela Goulding said in her decision. Boalag appealed that decision all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which rejected his request in 2021. Prison staff failed on multiple levels, lawsuit alleges According to the lawsuit, filed by Halifax-area lawyer Laura Neilan on behalf of Boalag, the inmates were released from their cells that day to line up for medication. Boalag says he was approached from behind, and didn't see the attack coming. He says correctional officers failed to intervene in a timely fashion, leaving him vulnerable to multiple stabs from a "sharp weapon." The lawsuit says the attacker was a man with "pre-indicators of violence" toward Boalag. It alleges prison staff failed to prevent weapons from entering the facility, failed to search inmates before allowing them to line up, and ignored internal policy by letting multiple inmates out of their cells at the same time. Atlantic Institution is a maximum security facility in Renous, N.B. (CBC News) The lawsuit also says the prison failed to ensure "appropriate staffing levels and trained personnel" were in place, and failed to "properly classify and house dangerous or incompatible inmates." The federal government has yet to file a statement of defence. In a statement to CBC News on Friday, a spokesperson for Correctional Service Canada said they are aware of a case involving Boalag, but said the agency cannot comment while it's before the courts. "CSC employees are trained and are expected to carry out their duties with professionalism, in full compliance with our policies, procedures – and of course, the law," the spokesperson wrote. "CSC does not tolerate any breach of these standards, and all allegations are thoroughly investigated, regardless of the source." According to the lawsuit, Boalag is currently housed at a correctional facility in Ontario. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Serial rapist Sofyan Boalag sues after being stabbed in N.B. prison, left unable to walk
A man who terrorized women in St. John's in 2012 is now suing the federal government, saying he'll never walk again after being stabbed at a prison in Renous, N.B. Sofyan Boalag's statement of claim says he was incarcerated at the Atlantic Institution on Feb. 3, 2023, when prison staff opened the doors to all cells in one corridor simultaneously so inmates could line up for medication. Boalag says he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly. "The plaintiff says that his injuries were catastrophic in nature, rendering him unable to walk for the rest of his life," reads the statement of claim, filed in Federal Court on Jan. 20. Boalag was convicted of raping two women and a 15-year-old girl in Newfoundland during the summer and fall of 2012. There were six complainants in total, with women describing how he choked them unconscious and threatened them with a knife on city streets in the early hours of the morning. His spree led to widespread fear in the downtown core and a police warning prior to his arrest in December 2012. Boalag was convicted in 2016, and declared a dangerous offender by the courts — resulting in an indeterminate prison sentence. WATCH | CBC Investigates reporter Ryan Cooke breaks down the latest on Sofyan Boalag's new lawsuit: "I am not satisfied that there is a reasonable expectation that the public can be adequately protected from Mr. Boalag by a measure less than an indeterminate sentence," Judge Pamela Goulding said in her decision. Boalag appealed that decision all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which rejected his request in 2021. Prison staff failed on multiple levels, lawsuit alleges According to the lawsuit, filed by Halifax-area lawyer Laura Neilan on behalf of Boalag, the inmates were released from their cells that day to line up for medication. Boalag says he was approached from behind, and didn't see the attack coming. He says correctional officers failed to intervene in a timely fashion, leaving him vulnerable to multiple stabs from a "sharp weapon." The lawsuit says the attacker was a man with "pre-indicators of violence" toward Boalag. It alleges prison staff failed to prevent weapons from entering the facility, failed to search inmates before allowing them to line up, and ignored internal policy by letting multiple inmates out of their cells at the same time. Atlantic Institution is a maximum security facility in Renous, N.B. (CBC News) The lawsuit also says the prison failed to ensure "appropriate staffing levels and trained personnel" were in place, and failed to "properly classify and house dangerous or incompatible inmates." The federal government has yet to file a statement of defence. In a statement to CBC News on Friday, a spokesperson for Correctional Service Canada said they are aware of a case involving Boalag, but said the agency cannot comment while it's before the courts. "CSC employees are trained and are expected to carry out their duties with professionalism, in full compliance with our policies, procedures – and of course, the law," the spokesperson wrote. "CSC does not tolerate any breach of these standards, and all allegations are thoroughly investigated, regardless of the source." According to the lawsuit, Boalag is currently housed at a correctional facility in Ontario. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
17-02-2025
- CBC
Serial rapist Sofyan Boalag sues after being stabbed in N.B. prison, left unable to walk
A man who terrorized women in St. John's in 2012 is now suing the federal government, saying he'll never walk again after being stabbed at a prison in Renous, N.B. Sofyan Boalag's statement of claim says he was incarcerated at the Atlantic Institution on Feb. 3, 2023, when prison staff opened the doors to all cells in one corridor simultaneously so inmates could line up for medication. Boalag says he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly. "The plaintiff says that his injuries were catastrophic in nature, rendering him unable to walk for the rest of his life," reads the statement of claim, filed in Federal Court on Jan. 20. Boalag was convicted of raping two women and a 15-year-old girl in Newfoundland during the summer and fall of 2012. There were six complainants in total, with women describing how he choked them unconscious and threatened them with a knife on city streets in the early hours of the morning. His spree led to widespread fear in the downtown core and a police warning prior to his arrest in December 2012. Boalag was convicted in 2016, and declared a dangerous offender by the courts — resulting in an indeterminate prison sentence. "I am not satisfied that there is a reasonable expectation that the public can be adequately protected from Mr. Boalag by a measure less than an indeterminate sentence," Judge Pamela Goulding said in her decision. Boalag appealed that decision all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which rejected his request in 2021. Prison staff failed on multiple levels, lawsuit alleges According to the lawsuit, filed by Halifax-area lawyer Laura Neilan on behalf of Boalag, the inmates were released from their cells that day to line up for medication. Boalag says he was approached from behind, and didn't see the attack coming. He says correctional officers failed to intervene in a timely fashion, leaving him vulnerable to multiple stabs from a "sharp weapon." The lawsuit says the attacker was a man with "pre-indicators of violence" toward Boalag. It alleges prison staff failed to prevent weapons from entering the facility, failed to search inmates before allowing them to line up, and ignored internal policy by letting multiple inmates out of their cells at the same time. The lawsuit also says the prison failed to ensure "appropriate staffing levels and trained personnel" were in place, and failed to "properly classify and house dangerous or incompatible inmates." The federal government has yet to file a statement of defence. In a statement to CBC News on Friday, a spokesperson for Correctional Service Canada said they are aware of a case involving Boalag, but said the agency cannot comment while it's before the courts. "CSC employees are trained and are expected to carry out their duties with professionalism, in full compliance with our policies, procedures – and of course, the law," the spokesperson wrote. "CSC does not tolerate any breach of these standards, and all allegations are thoroughly investigated, regardless of the source." According to the lawsuit, Boalag is currently housed at a correctional facility in Ontario.
