Protesters gather outside Cardiff Bay police station after death of 24-year-old man

A protest has taken place today outside Cardiff Bay police station, where 24-year-old Mohamud Mohammed Hassan was detained overnight after being arrested for breach of peace.

An investigation has been launched after the death of Mohamud on Saturday night, hours after his release from police custody. The male was arrested at his home on Newport Road on Friday on suspicion of breach of peace, but was released from Cardiff Bay police station without charge on Saturday morning.

Relatives of Mohamud claim he was seen hours after his release with bruises and wounds to his body, which were not there before he was taken into custody. There is now an investigation underway by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Concerned residents and friends of Mohamud have taken to social media to dispute that his arrest was violent, and a protest has taken place today outside the police station. However, South Wales Police claim they have yet to find evidence of misconduct or excessive force throughout Mohamud’s arrest or custody time.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Mohamud’s family pay for funeral arrangements and legal fees following his death. The page states: “Black men cannot continue to be treated as second class citizens by police. His death was avoidable as were so many others”.

The #justice4mohamud tag has been circulating social media over the past few days since his death, with friends and locals outraged by his death and his treatment by the police.

Many have taken to social media to dispute the circumstances of Mohamud’s untimely death.

South Wales Police have said they are looking into his death and have so far found no evidence of police misconduct. They said: “As part of the South Wales Police investigation CCTV and body-worn video has already been, and will continue to be, examined.

“This will assist in establishing and understanding the events that took place.

“Early findings by the force indicate no misconduct issues and no excessive force.”