A joint operation by the Attorney General’s Office, the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro and the Federal Police arrested this Sunday (24) three suspects of being the masterminds behind the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco, in March 2018. The warrants were determined by the Supreme Court Federal Court (STF). The operation is called Murder Inc.
The brothers Domingos Brazão, current advisor to the State Court of Auditors, Chiquinho Brazão, federal deputy from Rio de Janeiro, and Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of Rio’s Civil Police, were arrested.
In addition to the three arrests this Sunday, 12 search and seizure warrants were issued at the Rio Civil Police headquarters and at the State Court of Auditors. Agents seized documents and took electronics for forensic examination.
Investigators are still working to define the motivation for the crime. From what is already known, the reason has to do with the territorial expansion of the militia in Rio.
Investigators decided to carry out the operation early this Sunday to surprise the suspects. Information from police intelligence indicated that they were already on alert in recent days, after the Federal Supreme Court (STF) approved the plea bargain of former military police officer Ronnie Lessa.
Upon accepting the collaboration agreement with the PF, Lessa identified who the masterminds were and also indicated the motivation for the crime.
Lessa has been in prison since 2019, accused of being one of the perpetrators of the crime.
The principals, according to the former PM, are part of a powerful political group in Rio with various interests in different sectors of the State. The former PM gave details of meetings with them and clues about their motivations.
Tags: Federal deputy advisor Court Auditors Rio Police arrested murder councilor Marielle Franco Nacional
