AIRPORT FALLOUT
Teenager was kicked in face by cop at airport after ‘man rammed his mum with luggage trolley following mid-air row’
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has insisted 'it's not a clear cut situation'
A TEENAGER was kicked in the face by a cop at Manchester Airport after his mum was involved in a mid-air row, it is claimed.
Shocking footage showed 19-year-old Mohammed Fahir's head being stamped on by a police officer - sparking huge protests.
6
6
6
Police say three officers were attacked prior to this, including a female PC who suffered a broken nose.
What sparked the incident has not been confirmed by police, but sources claim Fahir and his brother Amaad were defending their mum before they were taken into custody.
A family source claimed Fahir and Amaad's mother was involved in an altercation with a male passenger while flying from Pakistan to Manchester on Tuesday evening.
The insider said 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.
More on the scandal
As she met her two sons, the woman pointed out the man she had argued with to them, the source told The Telegraph.
The pair are then said to have confronted the man - which then turned into a physical altercation.
Police were then called to the airport and tracked the family through cameras before stopping them near the ticket machines.
The source alleged to The Telegraph that the mum was struck in the face by an officer, which has not been independently verified.
Most read in The Sun
Greater Manchester Police has not released any bodycam footage of the encounter.
The force said at this point, officers were assaulted and "punched to the ground".
Protesters swarm over vid of cop kicking man after mayor calls for calm
GMP confirmed three cops were left needing hospital treatment - including one female PC who had a broken nose.
Footage has only emerged of what happened after this point, which shows Fahir lying on the ground with his hands behind his back and Amaad sat on a chair.
Clips shows an officer kick Fahir in the face before stamping on his head before he and his brother are hauled away.
A woman could be seen kneeling over him as two officers point their tasers in his direction.
A police officer has been suspended from all duties following a “thorough review of further information”, GMP confirmed.
The force also said it has referred itself to the IOPC police watchdog.
Fahir's lawyer has since claimed the teenager "has a cyst on his brain".
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."
The now viral video has sparked a flurry of outrage, with protesters last night again taking to the streets of Manchester.
Scenes of unrest in the city came after Mayor Andy Burnham insisted: "It's not a clear cut situation".
Around 200 people swarmed outside the mayor's office on Oxford Road on Thursday night, and took their rally through the town centre in their second night of demonstrations.
6
6
6
The march sparked travel chaos in the city centre, as protestors filled roads.
Some also staged a sit-in demonstration on tram tracks leaving the public transport vehicles stranded.
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.
“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.”
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 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is meeting Mr Burnham to discuss the video.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.
"We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.
"We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern.
"It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.
"Our enquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.
“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”