A Tower Hamlets youth worker has vowed to “fight all the way” to clear his name over allegations that he assaulted a police officer.
Law graduate Zakaria Hussain, who is known as Zak, was arrested outside The Arbour Youth Centre in Stepney on October 8 and has been on police bail ever since.
He claims he was stopped for no lawful reason and subjected to a “violent ordeal” while cleaning his car outside the youth club.
But police say he was “non-compliant in a difficult policing situation” and an investigation is underway.
Mr Hussain said: “I haven’t done anything untoward. I’m planning to take this all the way to court because stuff like this can’t be happening in this age. I was just cleaning my car outside the youth centre.
The Metropolitan Police say neighbourhood officers were on routine patrol in Shandy Street, E1, on October 8 when they spoke to some young men due to concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.
The officers called for additional assistance at 8.10pm before a man was arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer and a Section 5 Public Order Act offence.
Video footage of Zak’s arrest was filmed on a mobile phone and has been viewed tens of thousands of time on social media.
It shows a police officer with his hands around the 26-year-old’s head and it has caused widespread community concern in Tower Hamlets.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the force’s watchdog body, has launched an investigation.
