Marielle Franco’s family spoke out about the arrest of those suspected of being the masterminds of the death of the councilor and driver Anderson da Silva in 2018. The Federal Police arrested, this Sunday (March 24), federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão (União Brasil-RJ), the advisor to the TCE (State Audit Court) of the Rio, Domingos Brazão, and delegate Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of the Civil Police in Rio. The latter is being investigated for having hampered the investigations.
In a note, released via the Marielle Franco Institute’s social networks and signed by the councilor’s parents, sister and daughter, the family defined this Sunday as a “historic day for Brazilian democracy”. The note also highlights the importance of prisons for everyone who has been waiting for an answer for six years.
Although it brings a tone of hope, in the message released, the family covers the trial and conviction of the suspects. “It is important not to lose sight of the fact that, to date, no one has been effectively held responsible for this crime, among those appointed as executors and principals”, says the note.
See the note in full
“This Palm Sunday (24), the day to celebrate our faith, the fight for justice, and in the liturgy the Sunday before Easter about new beginnings and resurrection, we woke up to the news of the joint operation of the Attorney General’s Office, Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro and the Federal Police.
Today is a historic day for Brazilian democracy and an important step in the search for justice in the case of Marielle and Anderson. It’s been more than 6 years waiting for answers about who ordered Marielle to be killed and why?
Marielle was a parliamentarian elected with more than 46 thousand votes in the City of Rio de Janeiro and her work was focused on guaranteeing rights for the population of Rio de Janeiro and improving living conditions throughout the city, with attention to those who commonly have their fundamental rights violated: residents of favelas and peripheries, black people, women, informal workers. Her fight was for social justice, guaranteeing basic rights for the population. And it is for this reason that her fight does not end with her barbaric murder and that of her driver, Anderson.
The resolution of the case is central to us, but not only. Today, we talk about the importance of this response for all of Brazil, for Marielle’s voters, for human rights defenders and for the most vulnerable population in this country.
It is important not to lose sight of the fact that so far no one has been effectively held responsible for this crime, among those appointed as executors and principals. All arrests are preventive and there is still a lot to be investigated and clarified, especially regarding the explanation of the motivations for a crime as cruel as this. But, the coordinated efforts of the authorities are a spark of hope for us families.
We recognize the commitment of the Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Police, the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the STF to advance answers on the case, now we await the result of the investigation and the possible complaint of the principals and all those responsible for obstructions of justice.
On this day of pain and hope, our family continues to fight for justice. Nothing will bring our Mari back, but we are one step closer to the answers we so long for.
With hope and struggle,
Marinete, Anielle, Antônio and Luyara.”
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