Police watchdog launches criminal investigation into officer filmed kicking man at Manchester Airport

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A criminal investigation has been launched into the police officer, who was filmed kicking and stamping on the head of a man at Manchester Airport, according to British media on Friday.

The video, which circulated widely on social media on Tuesday, prompted significant public outcry and led to the suspension of the involved officer from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on Thursday.

The incident, captured earlier this week, shows an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying face down on the ground, with a woman kneeling beside him. The same officer was also seen using pepper spray on another man before wrestling him to the ground.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible."

“I have today met one of the men who was involved and his family members to outline our investigation and we will continue to update them and Greater Manchester Police as our enquiries progress. We will be speaking to the man involved in the second incident as soon as we can," Bates added.

“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wish to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence as a result of this incident," she said.

According to police reports, three officers were assaulted during the altercation, including a female constable who sustained a broken nose. Four men were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

Akhmed Yakoob, representing the family, revealed that Fahir, a victim, was found to have a cyst on his brain following a CT scan after the incident.