Following the incident at Manchester Airport where a disturbing video showed a police officer kicking and stomping on the head of Fahir Amaaz, 19, as he and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 25, were restrained, a second officer is now under criminal investigation for assault. The video, which sparked two days of unrest in Manchester, led to protests outside Rochdale police station and raised concerns among the public.
In response to the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced that a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) constable was being investigated for assault in connection with the arrests of the brothers. In a recent update, the watchdog revealed that a second officer is also under criminal investigation for assault, related to an incident shortly after the arrests of two other men.
The IOPC is looking into potential gross misconduct by the officers for alleged breaches of police professional standards, including their use of force. The watchdog received a complaint detailing several allegations from one of the individuals involved in the incident, prompting further investigations.
According to IOPC regional director Catherine Bates, the situation at Manchester Airport was complex and escalated rapidly, resulting in injuries to both police officers and members of the public. The IOPC is working diligently to piece together all relevant events from that day and ensure a thorough investigation.
Additionally, Greater Manchester Police is conducting an investigation to determine if any criminal offenses were committed by members of the public during the initial altercation and subsequent arrests. The IOPC and GMP are collaborating with the Crown Prosecution Service to progress their investigations in parallel and address any concerns about discriminatory behavior influencing the treatment received.
The IOPC’s investigation will analyze the force used against six individuals in two separate incidents, focusing on the arrests captured in the footage and the subsequent arrests that followed. The inquiry will also consider the level of care provided to a woman who reported sustaining an injury during the arrests, as well as the language and force used by police towards the individuals detained.
Four men were initially arrested on suspicion of affray and assault in connection with the incident and later released on bail. The investigation continues to unfold as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of what transpired at Manchester Airport and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.