By Michael Holden
LONDON (Reuters) -Two men have been charged with offences over a high-profile violent incident at Manchester Airport in July that initially led to accusations of police brutality and then fuelled claims Britain had a two-tier justice system.
The two men were arrested in chaotic scenes at the airport in northern England, caught on video that was later posted on social media, with several officers armed with tasers restraining two suspects.
The footage showed one man being kicked and stamped on by an officer as he lay face-down on the floor, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying he had seen the video and understood the public’s concern about it.
However further video clips obtained days later showed two female officers had been knocked to the ground in the build-up.
Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said two brothers, Mohammed Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, had now been charged with assaulting the officers. It added it had also considered possible offences committed by police officers but concluded none should face charges.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS’ Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the incident had attracted significant public interest and media coverage.
“We have reviewed all the available evidence, including witness statements, video footage, expert reports and other material related to police use of force, to make an independent and objective assessment about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the court to consider,” he said.
The CPS concluded that the men should be charged with offences including assaults on police officers, he said.
Aamer Anwar, the men’s lawyer, said his clients would vigorously contest the allegations and would also be requesting a victim’s right of review of the CPS decision not to charge any officers.
The incident gained further notoriety when Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing populist Reform Party, said his party would consider bringing a private prosecution because of inaction by the CPS.
He said it was an example of a “two tier” policing system which meant those involved in anti-immigration protests across Britain in early August had faced immediate prosecution, including those who had simply posted messages online, while the Manchester Airport incident had been “completely ignored”.
Police chiefs said that accusation was baseless.
Amaaz and Amaad will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Jan. 16.
(Additional reporting by William James and Catarina Demony; Editing by William Maclean)
