Hundreds attend Mass for shot Brazilian

Hundreds of people have gathered for a Mass for the Brazilian man wrongly shot dead by British police as a suspected suicide …

Hundreds of people have gathered for a Mass for the Brazilian man wrongly shot dead by British police as a suspected suicide bomber.

Friends and family of Jean Charles de Menezes met at Westminster Cathedral in central London to remember his life.

His only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and perhaps the colour of his skin
Bianca Jagger

, Goodwill Ambassador from the Council of Europe, was among those who gave readings at the start of the service.

Mr de Menezes was shot eight times - including seven times in the head - on Friday last week as he fled from police at Stockwell Tube Station in south London.

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Ms Jagger said there were many similarities between Christ and Mr de Menezes, including the fact they were both tradesmen. "Both were innocent victims and both died very publicly in front of a crowd who were helpless to stop these brutal murders."

She prayed that his death was not in vain, adding that it was "not acceptable and those who are responsible for his death must be held accountable".

She added: "The shoot to kill policy must be debated and must not be implemented.

"There was nothing evil about Jean Charles. His only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and perhaps the colour of his skin."

She said his death had been "senseless", adding that the Fifth Commandment forbade the killing of the innocent and the righteous.