Mohamud Hassan
On January 9, 2021, Mohamud Mohammed Hassan, a 24-year-old Somalian-born British citizen, died suddenly after being released from arrest in Cardiff, Wales. Hassan was detained at his home on suspicion of disturbing public order. The man spent the night in the detention center, but was released the next morning without any charges pressed against him. On the evening of the same day, he was found dead.
The cause of death has not yet been clarified; the results of the forensic medical examination are still unknown. According to the ongoing investigation, the deceased may have been in contact with more than 50 police officers on the day of his death. At the moment, five of them have received misconduct notices from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Hassan’s death sparked massive protests in Cardiff demanding increased police accountability for the detention of the detainees and disclosing all the details of Hassan’s death. Hassan’s family suspects the police of committing violent unlawful acts against the deceased and hiding evidence. Relatives intend to seek justice in court.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
More than 30,000 people have signed a petition demanding the IOPC release documents and CCTV footage showing contact between police and the victim.
Three of the notices relate to when Mr Hassan was in custody at Cardiff Bay police station, and two concern the actions of officers who attended the Newport Road address on the evening of Mr Hassan’s arrest.
The IOPC investigation is examining the circumstances leading up to Mr Hassan’s death, including:
- What happened during his arrest on the evening of Friday 8 January and the journey in a police van to Cardiff Bay custody suite
- The extent of force used by police officers during their interaction with Mr Hassan
- The level of care provided and welfare checks conducted during his detention at the police station
- What assessments were undertaken before Mr Hassan was released without charge from custody on Saturday morning
- Whether there is any evidence of discrimination
- What happened in the hours after Mr Hassan left custody until his sudden death at the property in Newport Road on Saturday evening.
CASE STATUS:
The FBI Initiative Group requested clarifications on the current case from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Minister and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland, and British Home Secretary Priti Sushil Patel. The initiative group considers it necessary to combat violence by law enforcement officials and, based on the results of the inspection, will consider the issue of providing legal and material assistance to the family of the deceased.