Gabriels Ochnolichs, 21, was taking his bins out when police arrived at his flat in Edinburgh and restrained him in what he says was an ‘aggressive manner’ during a welfare check
An Edinburgh man has lodged a formal complaint with Police Scotland after alleging he was left with bruises following what was supposed to be a “mental health welfare check.”
Gabriels Ochnolichs was putting out his rubbish when he encountered two constables at his Muirhouse residence in Birnies Court. Gabriels explained that his social worker had flagged up welfare concerns to police, prompting officers to visit his home address.
However, the wellness visit took a dramatic turn for the worse, with the 21-year-old alleging that officers acted aggressively towards him. Mobile phone footage captured by his mother appears to show a constable seizing Gabriels by the throat before he is seemingly forcibly thrown to the pavement and placed in handcuffs.
Subsequent video shows the young man surrounded by approximately eight officers who are either restraining him or standing nearby. Gabriels can be seen lying on the ground with leg restraints applied.
He has now lodged an official complaint with Police Scotland regarding his alleged treatment at the hands of officers. The incident occurred on Thursday January 8 at 4.20pm, reports Edinburgh Live.
“I was detained by Police Scotland under mental health powers but it was a misunderstanding,” he explained. “My phone was dead and so my social worker could not get in touch with me and became concerned.
“My mum was able to speak to them to let them know I was ok but they had already phoned the police. They came to my landing while I was taking the bin out.
“There were two police officers and without explanation they grabbed me. I kept asking why they were grabbing me and I was not resisting.
“They then restrained me, with an officer applying force to my neck, making it hard for me to breathe. I became distressed and shouted, asking why I was being choked and why this was happening, I began to struggle as they were hurting me.
“My mum and girlfriend watched it happen, they never told me it was a welfare check. They called for back up when I was on the ground and in handcuffs.
“They put restraints on my legs and there were a lot of officers on me. My mum started filming the incident and later was asked by police to delete or not share her footage to anyone or social media.
“My mother’s video shows officers restraining me, including contact around my neck. I am sharing this to raise concerns about the use of unnecessary force by police.”
Gabriels alleged the officers removed the restraints from him after they had taken him to a police van at the bottom of his block. Officers explained they were conducting a welfare check at this point and Gabriels claims he questioned them about their use of force during the encounter.
“Straight out the gate they were aggressive with me,” he said. “One held my hand while the other pushed me to the wall.
“They put pressure on my neck and then put handcuffs on me which ended up bruising me. I did not act aggressively, I only resisted after the officer put on my neck.
“This was triggering for me. People don’t reach out for help at the best of times and this is what you get.
“I have struggled mentally and this is what I have had to go through. No wonder people bottle it up.
“This has made me feel horrible. My neighbours were looking as if I had done something terrible. They sent about ten officers and five cars, it was such a big response.
“They have ruined my reputation. People in my block will think I have done something really bad.
“All of this could have been avoided and gone a different way if the police came up to me and talked about checking on my welfare. I have had it before and it did not go like this.”
Gabriel’s mum and his girlfriend bore witness to the entire incident, with his mother, Marie Olehnovica, 40, expressing that the event has left her deeply disturbed.
“It was very horrible for a mum to see,” Marie shared. “The police man was very aggressive, I kept asking why they were arresting my son and grabbing him by the neck.
“I am very shocked. My heart is not good, it gave me a massive panic. I cannot sleep at night having watched what they did to my son.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed: “A complaint has been received by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department and is currently under assessment.”