A Montreal man arrested while holding an Israeli flag at an international cycling race last year is suing the city and four police officers for more than $86,000, alleging excessive force and false reports about what led to his arrest.
Daniel Bercovici was charged with obstructing a police officer after the encounter at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. The charge was withdrawn more than 10 months later. His civil lawsuit now challenges the officers’ version of events, relying in part on video filmed by a man attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration nearby.
The Sept. 14, 2025 race drew protesters opposed to the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. Bercovici, then 46, stood near them on Parc Ave., close to the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument, holding an Israeli flag.