Leaked report contradicts police claim that slain Brazilian acted suspiciously
LONDON (AP) – A Brazilian man who was mistaken for a bomber and shot dead by undercover police officers was not wearing a heavy jacket that could have concealed a bomb and did not jump station security barriers, according to a leaked report into his death that contradicts witness claims.
Electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, was shot seven times in the head by police who tailed him to the station the day after four bombs were carried onto London’s transit system but failed to detonate fully.
Two weeks earlier, 52 commuters had been killed by bombs on London trains and a bus.
In the heightened state of anxiety following the failed attacks, witnesses reported that Menezes, who they claimed was dressed and acting suspiciously, jumped over station security barriers before bolting from armed officers towards a train. Police also said that he failed to obey their instructions.
But British ITV news, citing a leaked report on an investigation into the death, said Tuesday that Menezes was dressed in a denim jacket and walked casually into Stockwell subway station, stopping to pick up a newspaper before descending the escalator and running to board his train. The investigation report cited closed circuit TV footage, ITV News said.
Challenged and refused to obey police instructions.”
Police said Menezes had attracted police attention because he left a building that was under surveillance in connection with the July 21 attacks, and that his clothing and behavior at the station had added to their suspicions.
Officers tailing him concluded that he matched the description of one of the four July 21 attackers, according to the leaked documents cited by ITV. However, a surveillance officer had failed to record Menezes leaving the property in Tulse Hill because he had gone to the toilet and so was unable to switch on the video recording device, ITV said.
It wasn’t clear from the ITV News report how officers challenged Menezes or how he responded to them. The police have refused to give details of what happened when Menezes allegedly disobeyed officers.
