August 16, 2020 – Halifax, West Yorks
27 year-old. Feared for his life on a chokehold
Hassan Ahmed was arrested after he was called to the area by a family member and got into an argument with a man, in which he admitted punching him.
A video of the arrest, shared on social media, shows Hassan being held on the ground with an arm around his neck.
The video footage showed him waving his hand across his throat as he struggles to breathe during the arrest.a voice can be heard saying “Chill out or I’ll choke you out, chill out or you’re going to sleep“.
In his own words, Hassan explained :
“I was afraid for my life, I thought ‘that’s it, he’s going to end up killing me’. […] I honestly thought it was my final moments, I was in shock, I was really scared. […] I was just thinking about my family, I thought ‘He’s not going to let go, he’s going to keep going, he’s going to finish me. […] I was in pain, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t feel anything, I couldn’t even gasp for air. He carried on, then he punched me in my face. […] This is the same thing that happened to George Floyd – it’s happening on our streets too.”
Hassan was arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident and released pending investigation. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan, of West Yorkshire Police, said “The officer has been removed from frontline operational duties” pending investigation.
Physical violence
| Kicks, punches, slaps | |
| Feet / knees on the nape of the neck, chest or face | |
| Blows to the victim while under control and/or on the ground | |
| Blows to the ears | |
| X | Strangulation / chokehold |
| Painful armlock | |
| Fingers forced backwards | |
| Spraying with water | |
| Dog bites | |
| Hair pulling | |
| Tirage par les cheveux | |
| Painful tightening of colson ties or handcuffs | |
| Painfully pulling by colson ties or handcuffs | |
| Use of gloves | |
| Use of firearm | |
| Use of “Bean bags” (a coton sack containing tiny lead bullets) | |
| Use of FlashBall weapon | |
| Use of sound grenade | |
| Use of dispersal grenade | |
| Use of teargas grenade | |
| Use of rubber bullets weapon (LBD40 type) | |
| Use of batons | |
| Use of Pepper Spray | |
| Use of Taser gun |
Psychological violence
| Charge of disturbing public order | |
| Charge of rebellion | |
| Accusation of beatings to officer | |
| Charge of threatening officer | |
| Charge of insulting an officer | |
| Threat with a weapon | |
| Aggressive behaviour, disrespect, insults | |
| Calls to end torment remained unheeded | |
| Sexist remarks | |
| Homophobic remarks | |
| Racist comments | |
| Violence by fellow police officers | |
| Passivity of police colleagues | |
| Lack or refusal of the police officer to identify him or herself | |
| Vexing or intimidating identity check | |
| Intimidation or arrest of witnesses | |
| Prevented from taking photographs or from filming the scene | |
| Refusal to notify someone or to telephone | |
| Refusal to administer a breathalyzer | |
| Refusal to fasten the seatbelt during transport | |
| Refusal to file a complaint | |
| Refusal to allow medical care or medication | |
| Lies, cover-ups, disappearance of evidence | |
| Undress before witnesses of the opposite sex | |
| Bend down naked in front of witnesses | |
| Lack of surveillance or monitoring during detention | |
| Lack of signature in the Personal Effects Register during detention | |
| Confiscation, deterioration, destruction of personal effects | |
| Pressure to sign documents | |
| Absence of a report | |
| Deprivation during detention (water, food) | |
| Inappropriate sanitary conditions during detention (temperature, hygiene, light) | |
| Complacency of doctors | |
| Kettling (corraling protestors to isolate them from the rest of the demonstration) | |
| Prolonged uncomfortable position |
- 08.2020 – Officer suspended pending investigation, Hassan release under investigation
- 16.08.2020 – Assault on Hassan
- Lawyer :
- Collective :
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