Brazil police in Rio held after 'shooting wounded suspects' Published duration 31 March 2017

image copyright AP image caption Protesters are also angry that a 13-year-old was killed by a stray bullet during the operation

Two Brazilian police officers captured on video shooting two apparently defenceless men have been arrested in Rio de Janeiro and charged with murder.

"What they did to my brother was cowardice. He was already wounded in the leg," said the sister of one of the men.

The two suspects were killed during a police operation on Thursday that also left a 13-year old girl dead.

She was killed by a stray bullet near her school in a shanty town in Rio.

The video, which has been shared widely on social media, shows the officers shooting two men who are lying on the ground at point blank range.

The two men appear to be unarmed and wounded. One is seen moving slightly as the police approach.

The alleged brutality of the killings have shocked Brazilians - although some have also expressed support for the police.

A police spokesman Ivan Blaz told local media that the officers were dealing with hardened criminals.

"They are not dealing with small time thieves. They are up against opponents with rifles," he said.