The three alleged sponsors of the assassination in 2018 in Rio de Janeiro of Marielle Franco, a black elected official from the favelas who stood against the militias, were arrested.
The Federal Police (PF) arrested the former head of the civil police of Rio Rivaldo Barbosa, the former advisor of the Court of Auditors of Rio Domingos Brazao and his brother, the deputy Domingos Brazao, the Court announced on Sunday Supreme Federal Court (STF).
The three men were designated by Alexandre de Moraes, the STF judge in charge of the case, as the alleged
“architects”
of the assassination of the then 38-year-old elected official and her driver Anderson Gomes, on 14 March 2018.
“The crime was orchestrated by the two brothers and meticulously planned by Rivaldo”
Barbosa, Alexandre de Moraes said in the document ordering their placement in pre-trial detention.
They were placed behind bars in a federal prison in Brasilia.
The police had previously claimed to have warrants to arrest a total of fifteen people in Rio linked to this case.
Brazilian Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski told a news conference that the investigation
“is complete
,” although new elements could emerge.
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“We know very clearly who the perpetrators of this heinous crime are, because it is clearly political in nature
,” he said.
He also celebrated the
“victory of the Brazilian state and security forces against organized crime”
.
“Today, a big step has been taken in trying to get the answer to the question we have been asking ourselves for years: who killed Mari, and why?”
, rejoiced on X Anielle Franco, sister of Marielle and currently Minister of Racial Equality.
Militias and “divergences”
On Tuesday, Ricardo Lewandowski said he hoped for a
“rapid”
resolution of the case, after a key confession from the man accused of shooting the victim.
Ronnie Lessa, a former member of the Rio military police, currently in prison, is said to have given the names of those who ordered the assassination.
A figure in the fight for the rights of the black and LGBT communities, this municipal councilor was coming out of a debate with young black women.
As she was driving home, her car was riddled with bullets.
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Ricardo Lewandowski released an extract from the police investigation which links the
“fundamental motivation”
of the crime to militia activity.
The report noted
“various indications of involvement”
of the Brazao brothers, particularly Domingos,
“in criminal activities, including those related to militias and land usurpation
. ”
It also highlights
“divergences in the political field
,” said Ricardo Lewandowski.
More precisely, the municipal councilor opposed a group which wanted to regularize land for commercial purposes, while she encouraged social use, explained the Minister of Justice.
Militias made up of former police officers, retired military personnel, firefighters and others emerged about 40 years ago to defend against drug gangs.
The investigation remained the responsibility of the Rio prosecutor's office for a long time, and Ricardo Lewandowski deplored
"almost five years of fruitless investigations"
due to
the "obstruction"
of some of its members.
It was taken over by the Federal Police in February 2023, after left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to power.