Braintree Taser death police will not be disciplined - watchdog

Sali Byberi was the manager of a family car-wash business in Sudbury, Suffolk

An investigation into the death of a man who was Tasered by police has found "no indication" that officers committed a criminal offence.

Sali Byberi, 29, died at an address in Clockhouse Way, Braintree, at about 13:15 GMT on 21 November last year.

Essex Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which launched an investigation.

The police watchdog determined the officers should not face any disciplinary action.

Mr Byberi's family said they still had "many questions".

Two police officers were trying to deal with a disturbance in Clockhouse Way, Braintree, the IOPC said

"We found no indication that the actions of any officers involved in this incident justified the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or that they had committed a criminal offence," an IOPC spokesman said.

"The officers were treated as witnesses during our investigation."

He said the family of Mr Byberi, who was the manager of a family car-wash business in Sudbury, Suffolk, had been notified of the decision.

'Became unwell'

The IOPC said two officers were called to a disturbance in the road at about 11:30 GMT.

The watchdog said father-of-three Mr Byberi "allegedly assaulted an officer" while the police were carrying out inquiries.

Investigators stated a single Taser was discharged "multiple times" at Mr Byberi when he resisted arrest on suspicion of assault.

They said he "became unwell" and officers remained with him until paramedics later pronounced him dead at the scene.

An inquest opening into his death was told he died from complications related to cocaine ingestion.

The IOPC said it would not provide further details about its findings until the conclusion of inquest proceedings, which is scheduled to resume on 15 July 2024.

Father-of-three Sali Byberi (far left) pictured with (l-r) Eli Sokolaj, Elson Byberi and Leonne Byberi

Mr Byberi's sister Eli Sokolaj previously described him as a "hardworking, outgoing and generous" man.

"We still can't quite believe what happened and how Sali has been taken from us," she said.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said the force wanted to extend its condolences to Mr Byberi's family.

She said officers would "continue to prioritise the safety" of those who came into their care.

Juliet Spender, a public law and human rights lawyer supporting Mr Byberi's family, told the BBC on Thursday: "While it's more than a year since Sali's death, his family continue to be deeply affected and continue to have many questions."

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