Two brothers accused of attacking police at Manchester Airport seem in court docket charged with assault as their lawyer says they ‘vehemently deny the allegations’
Two brothers accused of attacking police at Manchester Airport have appeared in court.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, both face charges related to the fracas at the airport’s Terminal Two building on July 23 last year.
Amaaz and Amaad, both of Rochdale, are charged with causing actual bodily harm to PC Zachary Marsden.
Amaaz is also charged with causing actual bodily harm to PC Lydia Ward in the same incident, and is further charged with assaulting emergency worker PC Ellie Cook.
In addition, Amaaz faces a common assault count against a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismael, at Manchester Airport on the same date.
That allegation was not put to him today. It was previously reported that Mr Ismael was a passenger on an incoming flight.
Both wearing suits, the brothers appeared before District Judge James Hatton at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz (left) and Muhammed Amaad (centre) arrive at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today to face charges following the altercation at Manchester Airport on July 23, 2024
Neither defendant made any indication of plea as the charges were read to them. They were released on bail to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on February 13.
Both men, of Tarnside Close, were granted unconditional bail by District Judge James Hatton at the end of the ten-minute hearing.
Footage of the fracas was widely shared online at the time last year and sparked protests across the country.
Outside court today, the brothers’ solicitor Robbie Cole read a statement on their behalf saying both ‘vehemently deny the allegations’.
Flanked by Amaad and Amaaz, he added that the family felt ‘betrayed’ by both the Crown Prosecution Service and police watchdog the IOPC.
Video of the incident on July 23 last year at Manchester Airport was widely shared online
Mr Cole, of Glasgow-based Aamer Anwar & Co, said: ‘The IOPC released a statement following the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to bring charges, which noted an ongoing investigation into gross misconduct by these officers.
‘The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police however has lifted the suspension on the officers in question, essentially implying that they have been cleared of all wrongdoing.
‘The North West Regional Director of the IOPC, Catherine Bates, told the family: “Don’t judge us on what you hear, judge us on what we do”.
‘The family feel betrayed by both the IOPC and CPS and their so called investigation.
‘The family will be seeking a Victim’s Right to Review of the CPS decision and robustly complaining about the role of the IOPC.’
Imran Khan KC has been instructed as senior counsel for the defence, Mr Cole said. He and the accused brothers then left without speaking further.
