Two brothers have been charged with assault following a brawl at Manchester Airport which sparked protests in opposition to police over the summer season after footage was extensively shared on social media

Two brothers have been charged with assault following a brawl at Manchester Airport in July seen on footage that sparked protests against police. 

Video of a fracas at the city’s airport, which went viral on social media, appeared to show a man being kicked in the head and stamped on by an officer. 

The incident sparked mass protests across the country, with around 200 people gathering outside Rochdale police station in response. 

Greater Manchester Police later suspended an officer from all duties after a ‘thorough review of further information’ of the incident.

But now the CPS has said two men, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, have been charged with assaults on police officers on July 23. 

And no police officers will face charges, the CPS confirmed.  

Mohammed Amaaz, 20, is charged with two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault.

Muhammed Amaad, 25, is charged with causing actual bodily harm.

The two defendants will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on January 16, 2025.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said he welcomed the decision from the Crown Prosecution Service today.

He said in a statement: ‘I welcome today’s decisions from the Crown Prosecution Service to charge two men with assaults on our officers and a member of the public at Manchester Airport earlier this year.

‘I also welcome their decision to take no further criminal action against serving officers. 

‘I appreciate that a full and thorough independent investigation has led to this outcome.

‘Following this decision, I have lifted the suspension of the officer involved. 

‘The IOPC’s misconduct investigation continues and we will continue to cooperate fully in this regard.

‘Whilst co-operating fully with the IOPC in the discharge of their independent investigation into the conduct of our officers, GMP has offered support to our officers and will continue to do in the coming months.

‘I know that these matters have understandably generated a great deal of debate, scrutiny and speculation. 

‘We now have specific charging decisions and the court proceedings must be allowed to progress without the prejudice or taint that can emerge as a result of misplaced commentary, speculation or the sharing of digital content.’

Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘Following our review of an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service has today issued charges against two individuals.

‘This was a high-profile incident that attracted significant public interest and media coverage at the time, and we have worked closely from the outset with investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Greater Manchester Police.

‘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.

‘Based on a careful consideration of this evidence, we have concluded that two men should be charged with offences including assaults on police officers.

‘We have concluded no charges should be brought against any officers. We examined potential offences of actual bodily harm, and common assault, and reviewed expert evidence in the form of an independent report from an expert in the use of police force, to inform this decision.

‘We always ensure police training is also taken into account in the context of these decisions, and in this case the combination of evidence, and the expert opinion meant there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

‘We acknowledge that in this case as in any other, the strength of feeling has been high. Our specially trained prosecutors are often at the forefront of dealing with high-profile cases subject to intense public and media scrutiny and will always make independent and objective decisions based on all available evidence.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and each of the defendants has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: ‘We are aware of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to take no further action against police officers involved in a series of arrests at Manchester Airport on July 23.

‘Our independent investigation into the use of force by police on six people during the incident continues and is nearing completion.

‘Throughout the investigation, during which two officers were interviewed under criminal caution in relation to alleged assaults during the incident on July 23, we shared relevant evidence with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), as it became available, to assist with making a swift decision in this case.

‘On Monday, we shared the final such piece of evidence with the CPS to consider potential charges.

‘We will now work to conclude the few remaining lines of inquiry as quickly as possible.

‘At that point, we will decide whether anyone serving with GMP should face disciplinary proceedings, and we will reach a decision on a series of complaints raised by six members of the public in relation to the incident.

‘It was important for events at Manchester Airport on July 23 to be carefully investigated.

‘The IOPC and GMP investigations are separate, and with different remits, but between them ensure there is an appropriate level of scrutiny of these matters.’