In documentary, agent “C12” gives 1st public statement about the Brazilian’s death in London in 2005
The British police officer who killed Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes in 2005 defended his actions in a documentary broadcast on Sunday (10.nov.2024). The agent, identified only as C12, made his first public statement since the death of the Brazilian electrician in London.
Em “Shoot to Kill”, transmitted by Channel 4C12 says he made his decision based on the information received in the operation. ‘Everything told me that I was going to die, that’s why I acted that way’, these.
Jean Charles de Menezes was killed with seven gunshots to the head in a tube carriage at Stockwell station. The police mistook him for a suspect in planning attacks on London public transport on July 21, 2005. The attempted attack, frustrated because the bombs did not detonate, took place two weeks after the attacks on July 7, 2005, which killed 52 people.
British police initially alleged suspicious behavior from the victim. Further investigation and witnesses revealed that Jean Charles acted like an ordinary passenger. Scotland Yard was found civilly guilty in 2007 and fined £175,000. In 2009, the family received compensation of £100,000. No agent was criminally convicted. The decision not to prosecute the police officers, taken under the management of Keir Starmer at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, was confirmed by the European Court of Human Rights in 2016.
Jean Charles’ family questioned the police officer’s statement. “He shows no regret. Why did you decide to speak out now, almost 20 years later?”says Katia da Silva, cousin of Jean Charles, when Mirror.
The case led to changes in London police protocols regarding approaches to suspected terrorists. In 2006, the Metropolitan Police revised its “shoot to kill” guidelines, including new identification and verification procedures.
