After hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube brought national media attention to his case, Irnes Zeljkovic has expressed an interest in bringing charges against the University of Western Ontario.

The 22-year-old’s controversial arrest on Oct. 14 –– and subsequent public outcry –– has resulted in Western administration defending the actions of campus police services and many students debating whether the use of force seen in the video was appropriate.

Zeljkovic’s attorney Phillip Millar has indicated his client will be bringing suit against the parties involved in the incident. Millar has also been retained to defend Zeljkovic against his criminal charges, which include resisting arrest, assaulting a peace officer and escaping

custody.

“Right now, the first priority is for us to take care of the charges against him,” Millar said. The attorney indicated his client’s lawsuit has yet to be filed, but will likely involve both London and campus police services, along with the University itself.

The probable lawsuit comes on the heels of an announcement by Western administration that they would be seeking an independent review of the arrest by former provincial police commissioner Gwen Boniface.

Yesterday also marked an on-campus rally in support of Zeljkovic. Around 100 individuals

congregated in the cold on Concrete Beach, some holding signs condemning police brutality.

“We were hoping to show we didn’t forget what happened three weeks ago,” one of the event’s organizers, fourth-year engineering student Sead Ferhatović, said.

He expressed support for the anticipated external police investigation of the incident, adding, “It’s good that everything is getting on track.”

Reading a letter from the Congress of North American Bosniaks, social science student Dzeneta Trokic expressed the organization’s disapproval of the manner i

n which Zeljkovic was arrested.

“[The incident] has damaged the reputation of the […] police in the eyes of the community and the rest of the world,” Trokic read.

Tom Murphy, a Western sociology professor, spoke at the rally in support of his former student. “He’s one of the most gentle persons I know,” Murphy said.

As for Zeljkovic’s condition, Millar explained his client is still under medical care. Millar noted it was not his client’s physical injuries which have led to his extended medical care, but rather an examination for potential mental conditions.

“The state of mind [Zeljkovic] was in at the time of the incident is undiagnosed as of yet, but he was obviously stressed and agitated,” Millar said. “He was not acting as his normal self.”