The family of a Brazilian man mistakenly killed by British anti-terror police appealed on Monday against a decision not to charge the officers who fired the shots, calling it 'the ultimate cover-up'.
The family of Jean Charles de Menezes are challenging the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) decision not to prosecute by filing for the case to be reviewed by the High Court.
"This judicial review is about making sure that someone is held responsible for the cold-blooded killing of Jean," said his cousin Alex Pereira after the papers were lodged at the High Court in London.
"It is clear that the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) and CPS are trying to hide the truth from everybody. It is the ultimate cover-up," he added.
Mistaken for a suicide bomber, de Menezes was shot seven times in the head at point blank range at Stockwell Underground train station in south London on July 22, 2005.
The killing happened amid a heightened alert just over two weeks after four suicide bombers killed themselves and 52 others on the British capital's public transport network on July 7, in what has become known as London's 77.
"In respect of the decision not to prosecute any individual officers we consider the CPS has usurped the role of the jury in its assessment of the evidence," said lawyer Harriet Wistrich.
The lawyers are also challenging the adjournment of the inquest into de Menezes's death, and the failure of the IPPC to publish its report on the shooting.
Concerning both points, Wistrich said, "the CPS's uncompromising approach gives the appearance of a stitch-up."
In July, British prosecutors ruled out bringing criminal charges against the officers behind the fatal shots fired at the 27-year-old electrician, citing "insufficient evidence".
The CPS said "operational errors" indicated that there had been a breach of the duties owed to those outside the police under the health and safety laws.
Last month representatives for London's Metropolitan Police entered a not guilty plea at the City of Westminister Magristrate's Court in London to charges of breaching health and safety laws.
The case was then adjourned until January 16 next year, the date for an administrative hearing at the British capital's Central Criminal Court.