Two brothers whose violent arrest at Manchester Airport went viral will not face a third trial for assaulting an armed policeman. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, were formally found not guilty of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden after prosecutors declined to seek a retrial.
Background of the Incident
The confrontation occurred on July 23, 2024, after Amaaz headbutted a Kuwaiti holidaymaker at a Starbucks in Terminal 2. Officers, including PC Marsden, attempted to arrest him. Footage showed PC Marsden kicking Amaaz in the head, sparking protests and claims of police brutality. However, later CCTV revealed the brothers had violently attacked officers, with Amaaz breaking PC Lydia Ward's nose.
Legal Proceedings
At the first trial in 2025, Amaaz was convicted of causing actual bodily harm to PC Ward and assaulting PC Ellie Cook, but jurors could not reach verdicts on the assault of PC Marsden. A second trial at Liverpool Crown Court also ended in a hung jury. Prosecutors then announced they would not seek a third trial, and both brothers were acquitted of assaulting PC Marsden.
PC Marsden remains under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for potential criminal charges. A second officer involved in the incident is also under investigation for allegedly leaking CCTV footage.
Reactions and Aftermath
The case has divided public opinion, with some condemning police violence and others supporting the officers. Greater Manchester Police chief Sir Stephen Watson praised his officers for tackling 'outrageous criminal behaviour.' The brothers' lawyers argued PC Marsden was a 'bad apple,' while prosecutors maintained the brothers were 'out of control.'
Amaaz has been in custody since his conviction for assaulting the female officers. The IOPC investigation into PC Marsden's actions continues.
