An armed officer, filmed kicking a teenager in the face while he lay on the ground, is facing possible criminal charges, the police watchdog has announced.
The officer, who has been suspended by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The incident involved 19-year-old Muhammed Fahir and occurred on Tuesday night at Manchester Airport. The officer's use of force, including the deployment of Pava spray on a second man, has sparked widespread outrage and led to protests in Rochdale and Manchester.
The IOPC's regional director, Catherine Bates, confirmed a criminal investigation is underway regarding the use of force on July 23rd. The IOPC plans to interview the officer under criminal caution soon. Bates has met with Fahir and his family to outline the investigation and will continue updating them and GMP as the inquiry progresses. The second individual involved will also be interviewed shortly.
The family of Muhammed Fahir has called for peace and condemned any acts of violence in response to the incident. The IOPC will review police body camera footage and witness testimonies before passing the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide on potential charges.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged the public to allow the IOPC investigation to proceed without premature judgments, emphasizing the need for calm after a tumultuous week. Burnham criticized politicians who exploit the situation for their own agendas, stating that the investigation is progressing appropriately and voices are being heard.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh echoed the call for calm, stating that the family has no political agenda and seeks peace within all communities. Concerns have been raised about figures like Tommy Robinson and George Galloway exacerbating tensions by sharing the footage on social media.
Details about the initial incident remain sparse, but it reportedly began on a flight from Pakistan, with Fahir's mother among the passengers. GMP initially reported that three officers were assaulted, with a female officer sustaining a broken nose. The force also noted a risk of firearms being taken during the assault.
However, footage of the incident shows Fahir lying face down with his arms by his side when an armed officer kicks him in the face and stamps on his head. The officer then uses a Taser on another man sitting on a bench, who complies by kneeling with his hands behind his head before being stamped on and hit with the Taser.
GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson expressed regret over the incident's impact on the community. He stated that senior officers are engaging with community representatives to ensure their concerns are addressed. While constrained in releasing further information due to ongoing investigations, GMP has committed to assisting the IOPC as much as possible. Photo by lucidtech, Wikimedia commons.