Judge convicts four men in 2023 Falconridge riot involving two Eritrean groups

A Calgary judge has convicted four men of rioting, assault, and weapon possession stemming from a September 2, 2023 clash in Falconridge Plaza that police have described as "the largest violent event to happen in our city in recent memory."

Justice Lloyd Robertson ruled that Amanuel Kiflezgi Sium, Yamin Okubahanes, Gebrekid Hailemariam, and Musie Estifanos all participated in the riot and assaulted a woman from the opposing faction with sticks and poles. Okubahanes was found not guilty of a mischief charge.

The gathering involved two groups of Eritreans with "fundamentally opposing views" over political unrest and military events in their home country. In the initial 10-minute encounter, police documented 97 sticks and pipes, 118 rocks and projectiles, and 18 bottles thrown. One officer felt he might not survive the encounter, Robertson noted.

Nearly 200 officers deployed tear gas grenades and approximately 2,000 rounds of PepperBalls to separate the clashing groups. Twelve people were taken to hospital. Police initially laid 63 charges against 28 people — 20 from one group and 8 from the other — but all charges against the latter group were dropped in 2024.

Eritrea ranks among the world's most repressive nations and has one of the highest refugee-per-capita rates globally, with people fleeing violence, military detention, and forced conscription.