After Mo Farah’s admission that he was a victim of trafficking in a BBC documentary, London’s Metropolitan Police opened investigations on account of his claims. The four-time Olympic gold medallist and World Champion revealed that he came to Britain with a woman when he was nine. Forced into housework in exchange for food, he wasn’t allowed to go to school till he was 12. Effectively trapped in the woman’s Hounslow home in West London, the Farah was forced into severing ties with his relatives.
Also Read: Mo Farah, Olympian runner, reveals he was human-trafficked into UK
As per a statement released by Metropolitan Police, special officers had been assigned to the case:
“We are aware of reports in the media concerning Sir Mo Farah. Specialist officers have opened an investigation and are currently assessing the available information,” quotes Reuters.
Although a formal report is yet to be lodged, the nature and source of revelations warrant an independent inquiry:
“Where offences are reported in the media which are deemed significant public interest and there is no cause to disbelieve then the Met can create a crime report,” added Met Police.
The documentary has shocked Britain (and beyond). Farah- originally Hussein Abdi Kahin- was smuggled into Britain through fake travel documents, suffering immense abuse as a child. The 39-year-old took to Instagram yesterday to outline his motivations for dipping into his past, despite the emotional toll it would bring upon him.
“Deciding to speak out and making the film has been a difficult and emotional journey, as I didn’t fully understand what had happened to me. But, now that my twins have reached the aged I was when I came here, I felt it was the right time to ask these questions and discover more about my childhood,” wrote Farah.
Also Read: Mo Farah says he was taken to UK using another child’s name
The documentary- The Real Mo Farah- was two years in the making. First aired last night on BBC, it throws light on the champion athlete’s journey to UK.
