Two police officers involved in detaining a young black man whose subsequent death sparked violent street protests will remain anonymous during his inquest.
The Met officers claimed they and their families were at risk of reprise attacks if their names were made public in connection to Rashan Charles’ death in east London.
A coroner has now granted them the right to remain anonymous.
Mr Charles, 20, died after being apprehended by police and at least one member of the public after running into a Dalston shop on July 22.
An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into his death has so far shown that attempts were made to remove an object from Mr Charles' mouth or throat after he was detained,
It was later revealed that a package extracted from his body contained a mixture of caffeine and paracetamol.
During a pre-inquest hearing at Poplar Coroner's Court, coroner Mary Hassell heard evidence alleging a "real and immediate risk" to the officers' lives if their identity was not protected.
Neil Saunders, for both officers, highlighted the case of murdered MP Jo Cox as an example of potentially fatal consequences when people take "justice into their own hands".
Mrs Cox was stabbed to death in her Batley and Spen constituency by Thomas Mair in 2016.
Throughout the inquest the officers will be known only by the ciphers BX47 and BX48.
Officer BX47 said he feared for his wife and young son, and said he had been targeted by a prominent activist who had accused him of strangling the young man.
In a written statement, he said: "I'm constantly on edge and fear what may happen as a result. My immediate concern is that my child and wife may be at risk from serious physical harm."
In a separate statement, the officer's wife said their son had received threats he would be "shanked" - slang for stabbed - by children his own age.
The second officer, BX48, said she was concerned she would be "vilified" if her name was made public due to her association with the death.
The court also heard a number of social media comments which threatened violence, torture and harm from vigilantes.
One such post read: "This nonsense in the US and UK... It won't stop will it, until 10 of the policemen who have murdered a member of our community are found wounded outside their homes with two bullet wounds in each knee and a sign: 'we could've murdered you but we're not as evil as you'."
Other posts made threats to "shoot the police".
Jude Bunting, representing members of Mr Charles' family, opposed the order.
He said it was important for the officers' identity to be known due to concerns over the "disproportionate number of black and minority ethnic (BAME) people dying in custody".
It was important to have particular regard for open justice, to help "avoid any suggestion of a cover-up" and to ensure accountability, he added.
Coroner Mary Hassell said that the inquest would have access to the officers' police records with their names redacted.
Both as-yet-unidentified police officers will be called to give evidence when the inquest resumes in June next year in front of a jury, the court heard.
Two witnesses who were present in the store at the time of the incident were also granted anonymity.
The inquest is expected to last up to three weeks.
Following the decision, a spokesman for Mr Charles's family said in a statement: "Although this is disappointing it was not unexpected.
"Our focus remains on the quality of the IPCC investigation of Rashan's death, and on ensuring that proper consideration is given to criminal charges. These officers will not be able to hide behind anonymity in the criminal courts."
