London police to avoid de Menezes charges

London's Metropolitan Police is to be prosecuted under health and safety laws over the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, sources…

London's Metropolitan Police is to be prosecuted under health and safety laws over the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, sources said today.

Stephen O'Doherty, senior lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service reads out a statement on the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes at the CPS offices in London. John Stillwell/PA
Stephen O'Doherty, senior lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service reads out a statement on the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes at the CPS offices in London. John Stillwell/PA

However, no individual police officers will be charged over the innocent Brazilian's fatal shooting, the sources added.

Prosecutors are to make an announcement on the matter today.

Mr de Menezes was mistaken for a suicide bomber before police shot him seven times in the head on a London underground train during a major anti-terrorism operation last July 22nd, the day after police say four men attempted to bomb London's transport system.

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The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), completed a report into the incident in January and passed its findings to prosecutors to decide whether individual officers should face criminal action.

The Guardian newspaper reported on Saturday that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided against charging any individual because there was not enough evidence.

Instead, the London police force as a whole will face charges for breaching health and safety rules, the paper said.