Posted on 07/25/2005 5:07:52 AM PDT by MadIvan
The Brazilian man shot dead by police in south London, who mistook him for a suicide bomber, had been in Britain on an out-of-date visa, officials say.
Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, may have run from police because of his visa situation, BBC correspondents say.
The electrician had come to the UK on a student visa, which allows people to work for a small number of hours.
Relatives of Mr Menezes are considering suing over the Stockwell Tube shooting, saying police will have "to pay".
Meanwhile, detectives are still hunting for the men who attempted to blow up three London Tube trains and a bus last Thursday.
Three men have been arrested so far, but it is thought the four would-be bombers are still free and may have access to explosives.
Meanwhile, Chris Fox, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, gave his support to the Metropolitan Police's "shoot-to-kill" policy with potential suicide bombers, in the wake of Friday's shooting of Mr Menezes.
"Shoot-to-kill is very good headline but, in fact, what we have to do is have a series of tactics which range from disruption to the very, very final moment when you have to shoot and the aim is to prevent the criminal or suspect causing harm to other people," he said.
Under surveillance
However, the victim's cousin, Alex Pereira, who is based in London, said: "[The police] have to pay for [Friday's killing] in many ways, because if they do not, they are going to kill many people, they are going to kill thousands of people.
"They just kill the first person they see, that's what they did.
"They killed my cousin, they could kill anyone."
Mr Menezes was killed after fleeing armed police as he travelled to work.
He had been followed by police from his block of flats in Tulse Hill, which was under surveillance in the hunt for the group behind Thursday's attempted bombings.
Mr Menezes had boarded the number 2 bus to Stockwell.
Police said his padded jacket had heightened suspicions about his journey. He was shot as he ran on to a train.
Heavy coats or clothing are often worn by suicide bombers in other parts of the world to help them disguise their bombs.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
In Brazil, relatives are demanding answers to why Mr Menezes ran and why he was shot by police.
Cousin Maria do Socorro, speaking before details about the visa emerged, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think they acted incompetently, like amateurs.
"You would think the British police would be prepared, but they are panicking and seeing everyone as a suspect.
"If you are going to have a war on terror, you have got to use brains to fight it not just brute force."
Friends of Mr Menezes in London said he had recently returned to Brazil for eight months to be with his father, who was being treated for cancer.
'Highly trained'
Fausto Soares, 26, said Mr Menezes had been sending money to pay for the treatment and was concerned how the family would now cope financially.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has defended the police's actions.
Speaking on the Today programme, Sir John said: "These officers are very highly trained. Very few of them are permitted to carry arms, but in that second they had no-one to help them, no-one to turn to.
"They had to make a decision. Do we take this dreadful decision to shoot, or do we face the risk that conceivably, if our worst fears are right, a bomb could be detonated that could kill people, including them, in the next second or so?"
Even if they had found his expired Visa, would he have been in any real danger of getting deported?
Maybe we don't know everything about this guy. It seems strange that someone would run from a group of armed police officers (assuming he knew they were cops) over something so minor as an expired visa.
Had to take a year off.
For people who are so religious etc they sure become westernized when it comes to "having to pay"! They probably ran to a lawyer to sue before claiming the body! If you're legal then there is no need to run! Too bad...so sad.
For people who are so religious etc they sure become westernized when it comes to "having to pay"! They probably ran to a lawyer to sue before claiming the body! If you're legal then there is no need to run! Too bad...so sad.
These officers are very highly trained. Very few of them are permitted to carry arms
I'd imagine it's a very easy decision to attempt to outrun the police when very few are allowed to carry firearms. It's probably very commonplace. What a stupid policy. Law enforcement needs to have teeth.
Perhaps this remark has already been responded to, but, consider that fact that he's an electrician and consider the fact that bombs need to be wired by someone who... knows how to wire things. Ergo, perhaps he was in the building doing some 'electrical wiring' work...
speculation, to be sure- but might it be possible he not only was helping in the wiring of bombs, but was indeed acting as a test of security.
The fact that he's illegal... wouldn't surprise me if he was doing work on the low down.
Wow these moderators don't mess around! So pleased to see you back however.
Are your referring to Prodigal Son or the Armed Police of London....
LOL- no, it was a self imposed sabbatical!
I didn't do anything wrong around here that I am aware of ;-)
Two more in case he trys to get up after the first three.
O Estado de Sao Paulo- July 25
In the city of Gonzaga (MG) it was a day of protest against the murder of the electrician, Jean Charles de Menezes. The resident of Gonzaga, a town of only 6000 inhabitants (one half of whom reside in the agricultural zone where Jean's parents, who are small farmers live), were united in mourning and to repudiate the murder.
The town's citizens gave their full support to Jean's parents. Jean was only 27 years old. The protesters demanded that the British government pay the family for the act. "The city is in mourning. It is impossible to first kill a man and then identify him, as they did in this case," said the mayor, Julio Maria de Sousa, who had the sad duty to carry the bad news to the parents. He took along a nurse to attend the mother who has a heart condition.
"We are doing all we can to show the world how indignant we all are with what the British did", said Ana Lucia Silva, a worker at the mayor's office. Jean's brother Geovani, who lives in the Sate of Sao Paulo, was expected to participate in the protest. The parents and grandparents were unable to attend as they are so devastated they have not been able to leave their home.
According to the estimates of the mayor's office, as many as 1500 citizens of Gonzaga have immigrated to England and the US to find jobs and a better life.
My comment: I'm sorry the man was killed. That was tragic! If as many as 25% of the citizens of a small Brazilian town are leaving for the States and England, the illegal immigrant problem is much worse than I thought!
It was caused by the terrorists.
And by illegal immigration.
Didn't you read about the American cops that shot and killed a baby the other day. There are plenty of American cops that shouldn't be carrying guns either.
Re # 6: Jack Straw has already said that the family will receive a generous compensation for their loss.
Had he been carrying a bomb ready to detonate and boarded that train, the police would've been criticized for being incompetent and stupid... or maybe not, judging by some in the media.
I like the way you think.
Very possible scenario.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.