The police shooting of an attacker who stabbed and injured six people at a Glasgow hotel in 2020 was “absolutely necessary”, the Crown Office has said.
Badreddin Abdalla Adam Bosh attacked three asylum seekers, two hotel workers and a police officer who responded to the initial emergency call at the Park Inn Hotel, West George Street, on June 26, 2020.
He was shot and killed by Police Scotland officers after he caused serious injuries, and attempts to use less-lethal weapons had been unsuccessful.
An investigation conducted by the Procurator Fiscal concluded that the reaction of officers was proportionate, with “no evidence of criminality” on their part.
The Crown confirmed further investigation is ongoing for a possible Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Getty ImagesThe 28-year-old, from Sudan, was one of hundreds of asylum seekers moved into the city at the start of lockdown.
In the early part of the pandemic, the Home Office temporarily halted bringing asylum support to an end for those whose claims had been either granted or refused – leading to a rise in the number of people within the UK’s asylum system.
The decision was taken in order to ensure that people were not made homeless during lockdown and able to follow social distancing.
In order to avoid placing pressure on local authorities, the Home Office opted to temporarily house a number of people in hotels.
Jeff J. Mitchell via Getty ImagesHowever, campaigners raised concerns over the decision at the time and warned about the conditions in the hotels.
Last year, an internal Home Office evaluation which was leaked to the BBC, found that Bosh had contacted the Home Office, housing and social care provider Mears, and charity Migrant Help 72 times about his health and accommodation in the period leading up to the attack.
It also found Adam had reportedly complained to staff at the Park Inn hotel and was in touch with the Home Office about an assisted voluntary return to his home country.
Following the conclusion of the COPFS investigation, senior independent lawyers decided that there was no evidence of any criminality on the part of any police officer who attended at the incident.
STV NewsBosh’s family has been informed of the decision not to bring a prosecution.
Kenny Donnelly, deputy Crown Agent for COPFS said: “This was a terrible, tragic incident and our thoughts are with all of those affected.
“Such an incident is without precedent in the Police Scotland era and it is only right that the Procurator Fiscal conduct a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of this fatal shooting.
“The investigation which followed found that the police officers involved acted appropriately throughout and their actions were legitimate and proportionate.
“This was fast-moving and complex situation involving significant risk because of the knife attacks being carried out.
“Police officers acted swiftly and decisively with the intention of protecting lives. All available evidence supports the conclusion that the use of lethal force was no more than absolutely necessary in the circumstances.
“The investigation into the wider circumstances is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept informed of any significant developments.”
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