Protestors demonstrate in St Peter’s Square in the wake of a video showing a police officer kicking a man as he was being detained at Manchester Airport yesterday, on July 25, 2024 in Manchester, England [Getty]
The condition of a man seen in a video being kicked and stamped on by a police officer at Manchester Airport has worsened, the family’s solicitor said on Friday.
Akhmed Yakoob, the man representing the brothers involved in the row and the family, provided an update at a press conference in Rochdale late on Thursday.
He said one of the men were identified as 19-year-old Muhammed Fahir, and that doctors were dealing with a cyst on his brain, calling on people to “pray for his wellbeing”.
“I’m here outside Rochdale Police Station about an incident that took place at Manchester Airport two days ago now. It was something that hasn’t been seen before, such police brutality,” he said.
He added that the family were “traumatised” and that Fahir’s medical condition had worsened.
The distressing video shows a man, later identified as Fahir, being violently assaulted by police while pinned to the floor.
Yakoob said three family members, including Fahir, his brother and their mother were assaulted by at least one officer at the airport.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called after a report was made of an assault at the airport on Tuesday, with video footage showing police officers violently kicking and pinning the man on the floor.
The incident later led to a police officer being suspended following huge backlash and accusations of racism.
A referral was also made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also issued a statement following talks with the mayor of Greater Manchester.
“I share the deep concern surrounding the video and understand the widespread distress it will have caused. I welcome the initiation of an independent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following a referral from Greater Manchester Police,” she said.
The UK based NGO Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), told The New Arab that they were urging Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to “give a public speech” and to “highlight that the use of such disproportionate force against an unarmed incapacitated man was unacceptable, regardless of what events may have transpired beforehand”.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) also told TNA: “It has been disturbing to watch the extensive footage showing the alarming force used by police on passengers at Manchester Airport.”
“The repeated kicks to the head followed by aggression to the passenger who lay on the floor, the mother trying to protect her son, visibly distressed and crying, has been heartbreaking”.
