RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly spoke with Brazil's president Tuesday to offer his apologies for the death of a Brazilian killed in London.
Officials with the prime minister would not give details on the call to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. However, a spokesman for the Brazilian leader said Blair told Lula that Britain was going through a difficult time following the recent terror attacks in the British capital.
Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, was shot and killed by police who had followed him from his home to a subway station thinking he was a suspect in last week's attempted transit system bombings. When authorities tried to stop him, police said Menezes fled, prompting them to open fire and shoot him eight times.
Police have since admitted Menezes was not connected to the bombings and have offered their apologies.
Also Tuesday, Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates traveled to Brazil to meet with the family of Menezes to reportedly discuss possible compensation for their loss.
