New evidence in Stockwell shooting shocks critics
-16/08/05
Critics of the police shoot-to-kill policy against UK terrorist suspects, which led to the death of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, at Stockwell tube station last month, were shocked this evening as fresh data emerged about the scale of inaccurate information and miscommunication surrounding the tragic event.
Reporting on leaked evidence submitted to the police enquiry over Mr de Menezes’ killing, Channel 4 TV news said it was now believed not only that the security operatives monitoring him had mistaken his identity, but that he had no idea he was being chased.
Original accounts said that Mr de Menezes, who was shot in the head at point-blank range eight times (rather than five times, as previously reported on Ekklesia), was running from away from armed police officers and then jumped a barrier at Stockwell station.
It is now believed that he entered the station at a normal pace, went to pick up a free newspaper, went through the ticket barrier using a standard fare card, and began jogging when on the platform ñ probably in order to avoid missing the train. Only then was his shooting ordered.
Interviewed by Channel 4 tonight, the de Menezes family solicitor said that from what she had heard there was no evidence he even knew he was being trailed.
Documents and photographs acquired by ITV News also confirm that Jean Charles was not carrying any bags, and was wearing a denim jacket, not a bulky winter coat, as had previously been claimed.
Given that the information now coming to light is significantly different from reports at the time, that officers had already allowed Mr de Menezes to travel on a bus and go down the escalator at Stockwell unchallenged, and that there is no indication they thought he was carrying a bomb, his solicitor said that a full public enquiry might be necessary.
It is believed that the operative outside Mr de Menezes’ block of flats in Brixton may have mistaken him for another man at the outset, because he was going to the toilet when the Brazilian first emerged.
Though Channel 4 News talked of “a catastrophic failure of intelligence”, no-one is suggesting that the killing is anything other than the tragic mistake police have always claimed it to be.
But the latest information will fuel fresh questions about both the nature of the police handling of the situation, and the policy question of shooting unarmed suspects.
Faith leaders were among those expressing concern about the circumstances of Jean Charles de Menezes’ death on 22 July.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission has said that it is wrong in principle to shoot people ìon mere suspicion.î It wants a full enquiry. But Lord Stevens, architect of the so-called shoot-to-kill policy has been steadfast in defending it.
Recently attention has turned to the extent to which questionable measures used by the army in Northern Ireland may have influenced recent anti-terror tactics in Britain.
Gareth Peirce, the civil rights lawyer, said after the fatal shooting of Mr de Menezes that ìwe must not make the same mistakes of the past in the name, once again, of fighting terrorism.î
Ms Pierce now represents many of the Muslims currently facing deportation for their extremist views.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the shooting.
New evidence in Stockwell shooting shocks critics
-16/08/05
Critics of the police shoot-to-kill policy against UK terrorist suspects, which led to the death of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, at Stockwell tube station last month, were shocked this evening as fresh data emerged about the scale of inaccurate information and miscommunication surrounding the tragic event.
Reporting on leaked evidence submitted to the police enquiry over Mr de Menezes’ killing, Channel 4 TV news said it was now believed not only that the security operatives monitoring him had mistaken his identity, but that he had no idea he was being chased.
Original accounts said that Mr de Menezes, who was shot in the head at point-blank range eight times (rather than five times, as previously reported on Ekklesia), was running from away from armed police officers and then jumped a barrier at Stockwell station.
It is now believed that he entered the station at a normal pace, went to pick up a free newspaper, went through the ticket barrier using a standard fare card, and began jogging when on the platform – probably in order to avoid missing the train. Only then was his shooting ordered.
Interviewed by Channel 4 tonight, the de Menezes family solicitor said that from what she had heard there was no evidence he even knew he was being trailed.
Documents and photographs acquired by ITV News also confirm that Jean Charles was not carrying any bags, and was wearing a denim jacket, not a bulky winter coat, as had previously been claimed.
Given that the information now coming to light is significantly different from reports at the time, that officers had already allowed Mr de Menezes to travel on a bus and go down the escalator at Stockwell unchallenged, and that there is no indication they thought he was carrying a bomb, his solicitor said that a full public enquiry might be necessary.
It is believed that the operative outside Mr de Menezes’ block of flats in Brixton may have mistaken him for another man at the outset, because he was going to the toilet when the Brazilian first emerged.
Though Channel 4 News talked of “a catastrophic failure of intelligence”, no-one is suggesting that the killing is anything other than the tragic mistake police have always claimed it to be.
But the latest information will fuel fresh questions about both the nature of the police handling of the situation, and the policy question of shooting unarmed suspects.
Faith leaders were among those expressing concern about the circumstances of Jean Charles de Menezes’ death on 22 July.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission has said that it is wrong in principle to shoot people ‘on mere suspicion.’ It wants a full enquiry. But Lord Stevens, architect of the so-called shoot-to-kill policy has been steadfast in defending it.
Recently attention has turned to the extent to which questionable measures used by the army in Northern Ireland may have influenced recent anti-terror tactics in Britain.
Gareth Peirce, the civil rights lawyer, said after the fatal shooting of Mr de Menezes that ‘we must not make the same mistakes of the past in the name, once again, of fighting terrorism.’
Ms Pierce now represents many of the Muslims currently facing deportation for their extremist views.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the shooting.