Pacifique Niyokwizera Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison
Pacifique Niyokwizera has been sentenced to serve 26 months behind bars for possession of drugs and a prohibited firearm loaded in his possession. The 20-year-old man received his sentence on Monday at the Quebec courthouse. He was arrested last October with two accomplices in the Limoilou area. During the arrest, authorities seized a loaded handgun, a silencer, about fifteen cell phones, over $1800, approximately 55 grams of cocaine, and 5 grams of cannabis.
Pacifique Niyokwizera gained attention in November 2021 when his forceful arrest by police officers on Grande Allée sparked outrage and controversy within the Quebec police force. Since then, Niyokwizera’s family has demanded $180,000 from the City of Quebec and the SPVQ, claiming that the young man’s arrest was unjustified.
According to Crown prosecutor Maël Tardif, Pacifique Niyokwizera still has 12 months and 6 days of imprisonment remaining, as he has already served a portion of his current sentence. The prosecutor also mentioned that the young man pleaded guilty to breaching conditions in another case.
Written in collaboration with Audrey Paris.