Another three Grenada police officers have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a Canadian resident, a day after two other officers were charged.
Oscar Bartholomew, a 39-year-old permanent resident of Canada, died in hospital last week from major injuries to his head.
Witnesses and family members say Bartholomew had visited the St. David's police station last Monday so that his wife could use the washroom. He mistakenly thought a plainclothes female officer was a childhood friend and hugged her, lifting the woman off the ground.
Police officers allegedly responded by taking Bartholomew inside the station and beating him. He was taken to hospital where he died a day later from severe head trauma.
Two officers were charged with manslaughter on Saturday, and three more were charged on Sunday. All five are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 3.
Grenada's Police Commissioner Willan Thompson has said the beating death is an isolated incident, and will be thoroughly investigated.
"Let me assure everyone that this matter is being investigated in a most professional manner," Thompson said.
Family described Bartholomew, who lived in Toronto with his wife, as a warm man who liked to show his affection for friends.
Two autopsy reports showed that Bartholomew died from a fractured skull, brain trauma, internal cranial bleeding and a brain hemorrhage.
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas told The Canadian Press Sunday that travellers shouldn't be dissuaded from coming to his country.
"This is really an isolated case, it's unfortunate," he said. "But people who know Grenada, people who have been coming to Grenada, will tell you that Grenada is the safest destination in the Caribbean."
