How did our beloved Mohamud die?

Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, 24, was arrested by South Wales Police at his home on the evening of Friday 8^th January 2021 for a breach of the peace. He was taken to Cardiff Bay police station. During his arrest, an upstairs neighbour reported a massive commotion in the flat below.

Mohamud was released without charge from Cardiff Bay police station on the morning of Saturday 9^th January. He then took a taxi home. The driver asked about his distressed state and Mohamud disclosed that he had been severely beaten by the police. 

His tracksuit was splattered in blood, he had severe injuries to his mouth, he had visible bruises, and he was limping.

When Mohamud arrived home, a friend immediately called the neighbour, who became so distressed that she called other family members of Mohamud who quickly arrived. Family members encouraged him to seek immediate medical attention, but he replied, “I am broken”, and said he had to rest first. 

After his injuries were photographed, he went to his room to sleep. That evening, a friend attempted to wake him, but he was unresponsive. 

When the ambulance paramedics arrived, they declared him dead.

South Wales Police entered the residence and locked it off. The family say Mohamud was afforded no dignity while he lay dead on the kitchen floor. South Wales Police repeatedly refused requests from the family to be allowed to formally identify Mohamud, and when his father arrived he was also denied that opportunity. 

The family feel they were treated with a lack of respect by the officers in attendance. The behaviour of the police fell far short of expected professional standards.

The legal case

This case has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Complaints, who will look at police behaviour during Mohamud’s arrest, his conveyance to Cardiff Bay police station, and during his detention in custody.

The family have instructed Virgo Consultancy Services Ltd to independently uncover the facts as to what caused the death of a healthy 24-year old black man shortly after his release from the custody of South Wales Police. Virgo Consultancy have instructed an independent pathologist who has carried out a second post-mortem. 

The family now anxiously await the disclosure of police documentation, including taser logs, and of video footage from CCTV and body-worn cameras that should have been activated during his arrest, plus all records relating to the sequence of events during his custody.

Mike Mansfield QC has been retained.

What we are trying to achieve

Mohamud’s family and the wider community want honest and transparent answers as to the cause or contributing factors that led to his death.

Given the historical allegations of institutional racism levelled at South Wales Police, we need to ensure that the investigation is subjected to independent legal scrutiny, which can only be achieved by engaging the services of independent expert witnesses.

How much we want to raise and why

In the first instance, we need to raise £5,000 on this platform to independently uncover and challenge the facts of this unexplained death. Further funds may be needed for investigation, or if evidence is uncovered that enables us to take an action against South Wales Police.

Thank you for your support.