Footage contradicts account of de Menezes killing - report

The man shot dead last month in a British underground station in a bungled anti-terrorist operation did not appear to be evading…

The man shot dead last month in a British underground station in a bungled anti-terrorist operation did not appear to be evading capture according to documents revealed in a news report tonight.

ITV News reported it had obtained secret documents and photographs from the shooting on July 22nd of Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, killed the day after four would-be bombers failed in attacks on London's transport system.

CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts cited by ITV News contradicted a number of police claims in the wake of the killing.

Firearms officers had been given clearance to kill Mr de Menezes but as they sped towards the underground railway station, he seemed unaware that he was being tailed, ITV News said.

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According to witness accounts and statements made by police officers involved, Mr de Menezes boarded the train and was restrained by a surveillance officer before he was shot eight times.

ITV News said there was a catastrophic failure in surveillance when officers wrongly believed he could have been Hussain Osman, one of the prime suspects - or another terrorist suspect - in the failed bomb attempts the day before.

The documents and photographs cited by the broadcaster said Mr de Menezes was not carrying any bags, was wearing a denim jacket - not a bulky coat that could have concealed a bomb. The report said he was behaving normally, did not vault the barriers and even stopped to pick up a free newspaper.

He did however run when he reached the platform - apparently to catch his train.

ITV quoted a police document describing CCTV footage showing Mr de Menezes entering Stockwell station at "normal walking pace" and descending the escalator slowly.

"At some point near the bottom he is seen to run across the concourse and enter the carriage before sitting in an available seat.

"Almost simultaneously armed officers were provided with positive identification."

A member of the surveillance team is quoted in the report. He said: "I heard shouting which included the word 'police' and turned to face the male in the denim jacket.

"He immediately stood up and advanced towards me and the CO19 officers. I grabbed the male in the denim jacket by wrapping both my arms around his torso, pinning his arms to his side.

"I then pushed him back on to the seat where he had been previously sitting. I then heard a gun shot very close to my left ear and was dragged away onto the floor of the carriage."

Police have declined to comment while the killing is being investigated.

The failed July 21st attacks came two weeks after four British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people in attacks on three London trains and a bus.

Additional reporting agencies