No charges for police in viral Manchester arrest incident

NO police will be charged over a violent incident caught on camera in which an officer appeared to kick a man and stamp on his head, UK prosecutors said.

The video, shot during an arrest at Manchester airport, went viral online, causing public outrage and sparking two nights of protests in Manchester and nearby Rochdale in northwest England in July.

But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had concluded there was "no realistic prospect of conviction" of any of the officers caught up in the fracas.

Two men involved in the fight however, would face assault charges, the CPS said.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, faces four assault charges while his brother, Muhammed Amaad, 25, faces one charge.

The brawl started on a Qatar Airways flight, but then spilled over into the airport, flaring into more violence at a car park pay point.

The brothers, who were with their mother at the time, had alleged that they were assaulted by 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," said Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division in a statement.

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

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police said it had suspended an officer from all duties.

The police watchdog also said it was conducting a "criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on 23 July at Manchester Airport".

Three officers were assaulted during the incident, according to police, with one female officer "suffering a broken nose" and requiring hospital treatment.

The men, both from Rochdale, will appear before magistrates on January 16.

(AFP)