LONDON, England - A British police officer has appeared in a London court on a manslaughter charge in the death of a newspaper vendor during the G20 demonstrations in 2009.
The charge against 44-year-old Simon Harwood follows an inquest into the death of Ian Tomlinson following the protests in London.
Tomlinson was shoved to the ground as he tried to find his way out of the cordon put up to contain protests in central London. He collapsed and died moments afterward. His case became a cause celebre for those who alleged that police brutalized demonstrators.
Harwood confirmed his name, age and address in a brief appearance at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. He was released on bail pending an Oct. 17 hearing.
