Teenager kicked in head by policeman at Manchester Airport has 'cyst on brain', his lawyer says, as officer suspended

25 July 2024, 16:35 | Updated: 25 July 2024, 18:47

A teenager who was kicked in the head by a police officer while being held on the floor at Manchester Airport has a cyst on his brain, his lawyer has claimed.

Solicitor Akhmed Yakoob said his client, 19-year-old Mohammed Fahir, had been in hospital for a CT scan, which revealed he was suffering from a head injury.

The footage has sparked concern among onlookers, and the officer in question has been suspended. The kicking sparked unrest outside Rochdale police station in Greater Manchester on Wednesday evening.

Mr Yakoob, who spoke to reporters in Rochdale on Thursday, added: "The main concern for us, for me, is that the family receive justice and this no longer happens again."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have met to discuss the incident, and the police watchdog is investigating.

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Warning: the below video contains violent scenes

The video, shared on Wednesday afternoon, shows the man, who appears to have been tasered, lying on the ground as the officer takes aim at him, and then kneels on his back.

A woman kneels next to him on the floor during the kicking.

Another man is also restrained forcibly while sitting on a nearby chair, as bystanders film in astonishment.

Police said that they had been called out to an altercation between members of the public, and were attacked while responding.

Asked why the police had approached the family, Mr Yakoob said: "That's not relevant. The relevant issue right now is the health and the wellbeing of the family.

"One thing I can say loud and clear is that nothing justifies the barbaric treatment from the police officers.

"Because as you can see from the videos that everybody has seen there was no threat whatsoever to the police or the public.

"People are forgetting that the mother was assaulted as well. She got punched and kicked in the face."

Mr Yakoob said he had a "long history" with the police himself but added: "We are with policing but we are against people taking advantage of their powers."

He said he hoped that "honest" police officers would come forward to assist the ongoing IOPC investigation.

Mr Burnham said on Thursday that it was "not a clear-cut situation". He told World at One: "It was, I think, an issue on a flight coming into Manchester Airport.

"When the flight landed, two individuals ... were waiting for their mum, who I think said that there'd been an issue on the flight and she pointed somebody out and then there was an altercation in the arrivals hall.

"And then that individual who was involved in that - or a couple - were followed by cameras through the airport, and then we get to the scene that people have seen, which is in the car park area of Manchester Airport."

He added later: "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.

“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.”

The IOPC said that it had had two referrals - one for the kick, and another for an officer using incapacitant spray.

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We understand the widespread shock and concern that a video circulated on social media following the arrest of men by Greater Manchester Police at Manchester Airport has caused.

“We are grateful to those who have already been in touch with us and we have now set up a reporting line so that people who may have witnessed or filmed the incident can contact us. This will help as we build up a detailed picture of what happened on the day.

“We have also received a further referral from Greater Manchester Police in relation to the incident which took place on Tuesday 23 July. The first, received earlier today concerned the use of force by an officer on a man who was detained on the ground. The second relates to the same officer’s use of PAVA spray on another man at the airport.

“We have met with members of the first man’s family today, some of whom were present during the incident, to explain our role and to listen to their concerns. We will keep them updated as our investigation continues.

“We will ensure a robust investigation, independent of police, is carried out to investigate the circumstances that led up to and during the incident at Terminal 2. We know many people have serious questions about what happened and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can."

In a statement released on Thursday, the force said: "Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.

A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation.

"We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place."

Mr Yakoob said earlier that they would make a formal complaint of assault and wounding against the officers who assaulted the pair and their elderly mother.

"We will keep you updated," he said, adding they "will get justice".

On Wednesday evening, hundreds gathered outside Rochdale Police Station singing chants of "GMP shame on you!".

Police said that the incident took place after their officers had been subject to a serious assault, with one female officer suffering a broken nose.

They said they acknowledged concerns about the behaviour, but added that the officers were responding were armed, and there was a risk that their guns could be taken.

Four men have been arrested.

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Police said that they had referred officers' behaviour for further investigation to its internal standards unit.

Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct said they were aware of the footage and had made contact with the force but had not received a referral.

Another said: "This is unacceptable and needs to be investigated".

A third commented: "This is so so barbaric."

In a tweet, Manchester Airport said: "We are aware of an incident involving Greater Manchester Police officers that took place yesterday and, as a result, the force is investigating the matter.

"We will support the investigation in any way possible."