The Brazilian Government has joined one of the country's wealthy and influential families to demand answers in the Taser death of an expatriate student in Sydney.
Roberto Laudisio Curti died after he was chased, Tasered and pepper-sprayed by as many as three police officers called after a packet of biscuits was stolen from a central city convenience store. Police have said Laudisio Curti resisted arrest, but conceded later that there were doubts about his involvement.
The death early on Sunday morning has outraged the 21-year-old student's family and friends, sparked demands by civil rights groups for an independent examination, and reopened a national debate over the use of the electric stun-guns.
Concerns have been raised over deaths and injuries associated with the weapon, the training of police in its use, and its introduction to general service officers after initially being confined to special units.
There is also concern that Tasers are increasingly being used as an easy option, even against unarmed suspects, and that additional risks are faced by vulnerable groups such as people with mental illness, existing health problems or who are drug and alcohol affected.