Outrage After Cop Trips Woman Up And Puts Knee On Her Neck While She Is Holding Her Child

This footage shows a police officer tripping a woman up while she is holding her child and putting his knee on her neck, causing outrage and an investigation.

The incident took place in the municipality of Itabira, which is located in the south-eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais on Friday (5th November).

The footage shows an 18-year-old woman holding her child in her arms and clasping her other child close to her while speaking with two police officers, according to local media outlet G1.

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

One police officer then proceeds to trip up the woman while she is still holding her second child in her arms, apparently causing the youngster to bump their head on the pavement as the woman falls.

The police officer who tripped her up then proceeds to put his knee on her neck while she is still holding her child before a bystander manages to take the child.

His colleague is then seen grabbing a shotgun with which he appears to threaten the onlookers.

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

The other police officer then lifts the woman back up while she is in an arm lock and her mobile phone appears to fall on the pavement before she is taken away as the footage ends.

The footage caused widespread outrage online, with netizens comparing the incident to the murder of George Floyd in the US city of Minneapolis in May last year.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Minas Gerais announced yesterday (Sunday 7th November) that it has launched a criminal investigation into the police officers involved in the incident after the images caused widespread outrage online.

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

The woman was arrested along with her 25-year-old partner for illegally carrying weapons, according to G1.

After the parents were arrested, nearby family members reportedly took care of the children.

The couple was released after being charged with illegally carrying a weapon and after posting bail.

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

The Brazilian Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil; OAB), said in a statement that it was “concerned” by the approach used by the police officers, adding: “Operations to fight crime are necessary, but they must be carried out with intelligence, prudence and planning.

“We emphasise that the permanent guideline for the actions of the security forces must be the preservation of lives, including that of the police officers themselves.”

The Military Police of Minas Gerais also issued a statement, saying: “The Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG) clarifies that in the early evening of this Friday (05/11/21), in the city of Itabira, in the Central region of the state, it carried out the arrest in flagrante delicto of a couple for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

“During the arrest, four rounds of .32 calibre ammunition were seized from the man. To prevent the seizure of the firearm she was carrying, the woman clung to a child, using them as a human shield and refusing to let go.

“In addition to the firearm and ammunition, a ninja cap was also seized from the couple.

“Regarding police action, the PMMG also clarifies that the facts will be investigated by the institution in an administrative procedure.”

Woman in Brazil detained with child in her arms. (Leo Santana/Newsflash)

The investigation is ongoing.