VID SCANDAL
Cop under criminal investigation for assault over vid of man being kicked & stamped on at Manchester Airport
Greater Manchester Police referred themselves to the IOPC twice
A COP is under criminal investigation for assault after a video emerged of a man being kicked and stamped on at Manchester Airport.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Constable appeared to attack 19-year-old Mohammed Fahir, on Tuesday, as he lay on the floor in disturbing footage which has since gone viral.
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GMP later referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the violent events.
The police watchdog received two referrals - one for the use of force and the other regarding the same officer reportedly using his PAVA, which is similar to pepper spray.
The IOPC has now confirmed the cop in question is under criminal investigation.
Watchdog Regional Director Catherine Bates said: "We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on July 23 at Manchester Airport.
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"We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible.
"I have today met one of the men who was involved and his family members to outline our investigation and we will continue to update them and Greater Manchester Police as our enquiries progress.
"We will be speaking to the man involved in the second incident as soon as we can.
"The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wish to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence as a result of this incident.
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"We are meeting with a number of community leaders in Rochdale this afternoon to listen to their concerns and explain our role.
"Our investigation continues to gather relevant evidence and will be following a number of lines of enquiry.
"We will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so."
A police officer has been suspended from all duties following a “thorough review of further information”, GMP previously confirmed.
Chaos broke out at the start of this week when Fahir and brother Amaad were trying to defend their mum, it is said.
A source close to the family claimed another man rammed a luggage trolley into her.
The insider alleged the mother was involved in an altercation with a male passenger while flying from Pakistan to Manchester on Tuesday evening.
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Once on the ground, the same man pushed the mum with his trolley and made racist remarks as she collected her luggage at Terminal 2, it is claimed.
After meeting up with sons Fahir and Amaad, she pointed out who she had argued with, it is said.
The pair are then claimed to have confronted the man - which turned into a physical altercation.
Greater Manchester Police were then called to the airport and tracked the family through cameras before stopping them near the ticket machines moments before disturbing scenes unravelled.
Footage shows Fahir lying on the ground and Amaad sat on a chair in the background with his hands on his head.
An older woman is noticeably kneeling over Fahir as two cops point their tasers in his direction.
An officer can then be seen kicking Fahir in the face and stamping on his head before he and his brother are hauled away.
The source also alleged to the that the mum was struck in the face by an officer, which has not been independently verified.
Police say three officers were attacked prior to this, including a female PC who suffered a broken nose, when they were "punched to the ground".
Police bodycam footage has not yet been released.
Timeline of events leading up to disturbing video
VIDEO of a cop appearing to kick a 19-year-old in the face before stamping on his head has led to unrest on the streets of Manchester.
The disturbing footage was captured at Manchester Airport on Tuesday - forcing GMP to suspend an officer and refer themselves to police watchdog IOPC.
According to a source close to the teen's family, this is what happened in the run-up to the shocking scenes which have since gone viral.
- Fahir and Amaad's mum was allegedly involved in an altercation with a man on her flight from Pakistan to Manchester
- Once the plane had landed, the same man then rammed the mum with a luggage trolley, it is claimed
- He is also said to have then hurled racist remarks at her while she waited for her suitcases at Terminal 2
- The elderly mother met up with her two sons, Fahir and Amaad, who she pointed out the man to, it is said
- The pair are then said to have confronted him - which turned into a physical altercation
- Greater Manchester Police were then called to the airport where they are understood to have met Fahir, Amaad and their mum by ticket machines
- Police say three officers were attacked, including a female PC who suffered a broken nose, when they were "punched to the ground"
- Fahir is then thought to have been put on the floor where he was kicked and stamped on
- Footage also reportedly shows the same cop use PAVA spray (similar to pepper spray)
- Fahir and his brother are then hauled away
The family source also alleged that the mum was struck in the face by an officer - but this has not been independently verified.
Fahir's lawyer has since claimed the teenager "has a cyst on his brain" following the altercation.
Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob said: "A CT scan has revealed a cyst on his brain, so please pray for his wellbeing.
"Right now the main concern for us is that the family receives justice and this no longer happens again."
Protests erupted on Wednesday night with hundreds gathering outside Rochdale police station, around 25 miles from the airport, chanting "shame on you".
Lord Walney, the Government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, urged anyone taking part to let "justice be served".
He told : “The force deployed by the now-suspended officer looked egregious and must be urgently investigated.
“But it was also alarming to see a gang gathering outside Rochdale police station in response and senior figures warning of unrest unless their demands are met.
“Justice must be served in this case but people cannot demand due process in one breath then subvert it by threatening mob rule if they don’t get their way.”
Scenes of unrest in the city came after Mayor Andy Burnham insisted: "It's not a clear cut situation".
Mr Burnham last night said: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet with both the Home Secretary and the regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“It was agreed that the IOPC investigation now under way will be carried out as swiftly as possible, will involve community stakeholders and will be truly independent.
“The precise arrangements will be set out by the IOPC.
Lambo-driving TikTok lawyer
A LAMBORGHINI-driving TikTok lawyer is representing the teenager kicked in the head by cops at Manchester Airport.
Akhmed Yakoob has taken on 19-year-old Mohammed Fahir and his brother Amaad as clients after a shocking video sparked outrage on Tuesday.
"Social media" lawyer Yakoob is understood to have been contacted by the family following scenes of suspected police brutality.
The legal rep, who got a 2:2 law degree from Wolverhampton University, claims to be "feared by a few, liked by many, respected by all, disrespected by none".
He flaunts a flashy lifestyle on Instagram through a collection of super cars, diamond encrusted watches - some of which appear to be Rolexes - and first-class trips abroad.
The 36-year-old previously bragged about his £1million motor collection which includes two Lamborghinis, a Mercedes Benz G-Class and a Ferrari F8.
Wannabe MP Yakoob, who has £400k followers, made headlines after coming third in the race to become West Midlands' mayor prior to taking on this case.
“I hope this provides further reassurance to people that all the right steps are being taken, that all relevant issues will be fully considered and gives people confidence in the process as it moves forward.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh added: "Extremists of all kinds are going to try and exploit this and hijack it for their own ends and that is the last thing this town needs.
“So, it’s my job to make sure that that family, who have been quite dignified in their response to this, get their wishes, which is to see calm prevail, but also for justice to prevail.”
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Meanwhile, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is “extremely important” that an investigation into the footage is able to happen “swiftly” and “thoroughly”, as she expressed “deep concern” over the incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understands the “concern” over the footage and the Home Secretary is meeting Mr Burnham to discuss the video.
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