The Gambian government has called on Spanish authorities to launch a thorough and independent investigation into the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Abdoulie Bah at Gran Canaria Airport last Saturday.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Gambia expressed “deep sorrow” over Bah’s death and extended condolences to his family and the wider Gambian community in Spain. The government raised “serious concern” over the use of lethal force by Spanish police officers.

“The Government of The Gambia deeply regrets the loss of a young life in such tragic circumstances and expresses its solidarity with the bereaved family,” the statement read. It added that a formal request had been made to the Spanish government for a “transparent and independent judicial investigation” into the incident.

Bah, who arrived in the Canary Islands by boat in 2019, was reportedly exhibiting signs of mental health issues in the days leading up to the incident. According to Spanish authorities, he was shot after allegedly threatening a taxi driver and others with a knife and then lunging at a police officer.

Footage from airport security cameras reportedly shows the young man approaching officers with a knife before being shot by five members of Spain’s National Police.

The Gambian embassy in Spain is in contact with Bah’s family to arrange the repatriation of his body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. A senior diplomatic official has been dispatched to Gran Canaria to assist with the process.

The incident has sparked public outcry. On Thursday, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Spanish Government Delegation in Las Palmas under the slogan “It is not a death, it is a murder,” demanding justice and accountability. The protest was organised by the Federation of African Associations of the Canary Islands and the Association of African and Afro-descendant Women.

The case is currently under judicial review in Spain, with the court tasked with determining whether the police response was proportionate.