Charge withdrawn against former Windsor police chaplain

A criminal charge against a former chaplain at the Windsor Police Service has been withdrawn.

Hassan Rkie was accused of attempting to dissuade a person by bribes from giving evidence. He was charged with obstruction in February, just two months after Rkie became a volunteer chaplain.

A claimant accused Rkie of trying to get her to drop domestic violence charges.

Rkie says he feels he was "fully exonerated."

"We have to follow process and the process took its course and I was fully exonerated," he said. "So that's a great feeling."

Robert DiPietro Jr. is his lawyer. DiPietro says that following discussions with the Crown, the charge was withdrawn earlier this month. He says the case would have been based solely on the evidence of the complainant, who had a "heated argument" with Rkie.

DiPietro says Rkie maintains the woman only sought counselling from him for a divorce. He says Rkie was never told about any domestic violence allegations. 

"It was always my client's opinion and, and quite frankly, he was flat-out adamant that he was innocent. I certainly appreciated that and quite frankly, there was no other evidence to really dispute it other than the word of the complainant," DiPietro said. 

DiPietro says Rkie knew the family well, and was volunteering as a chaplain. 

"He never in any way, shape or form tried to bribe anyone or obstruct anyone," he said, adding that Rkie was trying to tell the complaint about Islamic rights and beliefs about divorce under Islamic law but did not give her legal counsel. 

A court document notes Rkie was required to complete an "informal diversion process." DiPietro says that is not an admission of guilt.

CBC News has reached out to the Ministry of the Attorney General to ask what this process entailed.

Rkie says he is no longer with the Windsor Police Service but would return if asked, and he continues his work with the University of Windsor and Windsor Islamic Association.