Jaggi Singh, a well-known Montreal activist, has been awarded $15,000 in damages from two Montreal police officers.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Micheline Perrault ruled that Singh's rights were violated when he was arrested and detained for five days in March 2007, and that Const. Frédéric Mercier and Const. George Lamirande must pay Singh "the sum of $15,000 in exemplary damages."

Singh was arrested eight years ago, during an International Women's Day rally.

The officers testified in court that the crowd was hostile and yelled out insults. The court acknowledged that hearing such insults was not pleasant for officers, but said that no threats had been made.

It was during that march that officers Mercier and Lamirande noticed Singh in the crowd.

Singh, who had a previous conviction, was forbidden from being "on the scene of an event that is not peaceful."

Officers arrested him for breaching his conditions.

Singh, who was detained for five days, maintained that he was entitled to take part in the Women's day event because it was peaceful.

Following his detainment, the charges against him were dropped. Singh filed a lawsuit against the City of Montreal and the two officers.

Singh was seeking $25,000 in for five days of illegal detention, $12,000 in moral damages and $45,000 in exemplary damages.

The court ruled partially in his favour, awarding him $15,000 in damages.

The City of Montreal said it may appeal the decision.

"We will analyze the judgment and determine whether to appeal it," a city spokesman told CBC in an email.