|
Menezes family go to court
16/10/2006 08:32 - (SA)
London - The family of an innocent Brazilian killed by British anti-terror police are taking their case to the high court on Monday after prosecutors decided in July not to pursue the individual officers involved.
Lawyers acting for the family of the victim, Jean Charles de Menezes, are challenging the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) decision not to prosecute them by filing for the case to be reviewed by the high court.
"In respect of the decision not to prosecute any individual officers we consider the CPS has usurped the role of the jury in its assessment of the evidence," said lawyer Harriet Wistrich.
The lawyers are also challenging the adjournment of the inquest into de Menezes's death, and the failure of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to publish its report on the shooting.
'Stitch-up'
Concerning both points, Wistrich said, "the CPS's uncompromising approach gives the appearance of a stitch-up".
In July, British prosecutors ruled out bringing criminal charges against the officers behind the fatal shots fired at the 27-year-old electrician, citing "insufficient evidence".
The CPS said "operational errors" indicated that there had been a breach of the duties owed to those outside the police under the health and safety laws.
Last month representatives for London's Metropolitan Police gave a not guilty plea at the City of Westminster magistrate's court in London to charges of breaching health and safety laws.
The case was then adjourned until January 16 next year, the date for an administrative hearing at the British capital's central criminal court.
Shot after suicide attacks
Mistaken for a suicide bomber, De Menezes was shot seven times in the head at point blank range at Stockwell Underground train station in south London on July 22, 2005.
The killing happened just over two weeks after four suicide bombers killed themselves and 52 others on the British capital's public transport network.
An alleged attempt to replicate those attacks was foiled on July 21, the day before De Menezes was shot.
- AFP
|
News
