Jean Charles de Menezes:

Police not to face charges

THE FAMILY of Jean Charles de Menezes, the young Brazilian electrician killed by police marksmen a year ago at Stockwell station in south London, were furious when they heard that no police officers would be prosecuted over the fatal shooting. Instead, they will bizarrely be charged with breaching health and safety laws.

What the police did on that July day had nothing to do with health. As an earlier article in the socialist said: "The police knew soon after they shot Jean that they had not killed a terrorist. Strangely, the CTTV cameras weren't working that day at Stockwell tube. But witnesses say Jean wasn't acting suspiciously.

"He didn't jump barriers or disobey police instructions as they said at the time. He only ran the last few steps as the train was in the station - something everybody does - and sat down. Then he was jumped on and shot seven times in the head."

The police have been obstructing the case inquiry throughout, tampering with police logs etc., all to cover their tracks. As Jean's cousin said: "By using these laws to cover up their own mistakes, they are treating my cousin like a dead animal."

Once again the ruling establishment has defended itself through an undemocratic and secretive state apparatus. Jean Charles' family are considering their legal options.

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In The Socialist 20 July 2006:

War and occupation

Stop the carnage