POLICE are investigating the sudden death of a black man in Cardiff after lawyers accused officers of using violence while arresting him.

Mohamud Mohammed Hassan was arrested at his home on Friday evening and taken to Cardiff Bay police station, BAME Lawyers 4 Justice said today. 

The 24-year-old was released from custody at about noon on Saturday without being charged.

He was severely injured, so he had to take a taxi home, the justice advocacy group said. 

Mr Hassan is reported to have told a close friend: “Look fam, the police have beat the shit out of me.”

Eyewitnesses said that Mr Hassan was covered in blood and had severe injuries to his mouth and serious bruising all over his body.

After Mr Hassan had slept for a few hours, a friend attempted to waken him, but he was unresponsive. After an ambulance arrived, two paramedics declared him dead.

Lawyers from Virgo Consultancy Services representing Mr Hassan’s family have said that they are seeking answers. 

BAME Lawyers 4 Justice vice-chairman Lee Jasper said: “Clearly Mohamud was perfectly fine before his arrest. 

“The critical question the family want answering is what happened to him during his arrest, in transit to and inside Cardiff police station. 

“He is very severely injured on his release, so was he offered medical assistance in the police station? 

“His death marks a grim and tragically familiar start for 2021. Black lives will continue to matter.”

South Wales Police described Mr Hassan’s death as “unexplained.”

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesperson said: “We are assessing the referral to determine whether the IOPC needs to be involved in an investigation.”

A fundraiser has been set up for Mr Hassan’s funeral arrangements and legal fees at gofund.me/bb087bb7.