Canada.com | By Jordana Huber, Canwest News Service
 
TORONTO — A Kurdish music star stopped at gunpoint by police after a motorist thought they'd seen a gun in his car said he is considering legal action.

Sivan Perwer, 53, and three other men were on the highway travelling back to Toronto from Niagara Falls, Ont. Sunday night when police surrounded their vehicle with guns drawn.

A witness had called the Ontario Provincial Police after observing what was believed to be firearm — which turned out to be a video camera — being pointed from the window of the SUV.

Perwer said officers surrounded the car and ordered the group out of the car.

"Suddenly, there were four or five cars and police and they pointed guns," Perwer said Tuesday. "We didn't know what was happening. We were afraid to make a mistake. They said they would shoot. It was like out of a film," he said explaining two of the passengers didn't speak English.

Perwer was on his way to the Toronto Kurdish Community Centre to meet fans and sign autographs after performing Saturday at a park for more than 3,000 fans at an annual Kurdish festival.

En route back to Toronto from Niagara Falls, he said his cameraman was gathering footage for his TV show.

Perwer, who has recorded more than 30 albums and has performed with Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Sting said his experience with police has left him shaken.

"How can they do a mistake like this?" he said. "This shock will live always in our lives."

Riza Bildik, 73, who was driving the car said he tried to talk with police but officers wouldn't listen. "I said this is our guest, our famous singer, you are making big mistake," Bildik said. "They don't let me to talk."

Perwer said police did try to apologize, however Perwer said: "I can't accept an apology. It hurt my honour a lot."

OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said officers responded as they are trained to do in situations where there is a reported gun.

"We have to treat it as if there is a firearm until we know differently," Woodford said. "We're not out there to dishonour anybody. We just acted in the best interest of public safety in accordance with our policy for high risk takedowns."

Perwer, who was suppose to leave Toronto Wednesday, said he will extend his trip to meet with a lawyer.