Outrage As Viral Video Exposes Brutal Beating of Muslim Men by UK Police at Airport: Officer Suspended, Reforms Demanded

The disturbing video of a police officer kicking and stamping on a man's head during an arrest at Manchester Airport in Britain has ignited a wave of public outrage and protest. 

The footage, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a chaotic scene in an airport car park where several officers are seen restraining two suspects with Tasers. 

The incident has drawn fierce criticism and accusations of police brutality and racism, particularly given that the men appear to be British Pakistanis. 

Eyewitness Amar Rafiq, who filmed part of the incident, described the scene: "I walked out to the concourse where the incident was taking place. The officer had the man put up against the wall, he was trying to push and shove the officer. Moments later, the other guy punched the officer, then they took both of them to the ground. They [police] were saying 'You're under arrest'. I was just gobsmacked. The police [officer] just kicked the guy in the face." 

Rafiq added, "Everyone was worried about themselves, they started panicking and rushing away, they feared they would be attacked." 

Protesters gathered outside the Rochdale police station, where the men had been taken, chanting "GMP shame on you" and "Allahu Akbar [God is great].” 

One of the demonstrators said,  “We’re no longer going to settle for this police brutality. We put our trust in the police and what do they do instead they inflict violence upon us when we surrender to them. This is supposed to be the police, instead they are gangsters in uniforms. We’re not going to put up with this anymore.” 

The protest was largely peaceful, although tensions ran high. Speakers at the protest accused the police of being "institutionally racist," and called for justice.

A local Imam also addressed the crowd, saying, "Rioting, being upset, is what these brothers want you to do. All I am asking is for you not to take the law into your own hands, be respectable citizens like our parents have taught us." 

The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has responded by suspending the officer involved and referring the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation. In a statement, GMP acknowledged the "truly shocking" nature of the video and the widespread concern it has generated. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the public concern and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation.

Paul Waugh, the newly elected Labour MP for Rochdale, expressed his deep concern on social media. "The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing. Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned. I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident, and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible. I have expressed my concerns directly to the Assistant Chief Constable this evening and have been in touch with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing of Greater Manchester. It's right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation."

Former MP George Galloway also weighed in, claiming that the man who was kicked has family members in the police force. "I spoke at some length to both the uncle and the brother of those who were savagely assaulted on the videos that you've seen. Both the uncle and the brother are serving police officers.” 

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry of GMP has tried to address the community's concerns, emphasizing the rarity of such force in an arrest and the need for a thorough investigation. The police's initial statement highlighted the challenges they faced during the arrest, including the risk of officers' firearms being taken.

Chaudhry also outlined the context leading up to the incident: "We were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2, Manchester Airport at 8:25 PM on Tuesday, 23 July. The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park, and officers attended the location to arrest him. During our response, three officers were assaulted. One female officer suffered a broken nose, and the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries which required hospital treatment." 

Akhmed Yakoob, who is representing the man’s family, said: “His medical condition has worsened since last night. A CT scan has revealed there is a cyst on his brain.” “One thing I can say loud and clear is that nothing justifies the barbaric treatment from the police officers” Yakoob added. 

This incident has reignited debates over police conduct and institutional racism within the force. The campaign group Stand Up To Racism announced a demonstration in central Manchester, calling for justice and highlighting the broader issues of racial discrimination in policing. 

The Muslim Council of Britain expressed its alarm, stating, "We are deeply shocked and alarmed by the footage. The incident is a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive police reform."

The incident has also caught the attention of local political figures. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called the video "disturbing" but noted the complexity of the situation, citing an altercation in the airport's arrivals hall before the filmed incident. 

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said, “We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.”