The Minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, stated that the arrest this Sunday (24) of the alleged perpetrators of the murder of councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL-RJ), committed in 2018, is a “victory for the Brazilian State”.
According to Lewandowski, with the identification of the alleged masterminds, it can be said that the “work was considered finished”.
“This moment is extremely significant, it is a victory for the Brazilian State, for our country’s security forces in relation to the fight against organized crime”, said the minister.
“Of course, new elements may emerge that will eventually lead to a complementary report from the Federal Police. But at this moment, the work has been considered closed.”
The three were the targets of preventive arrest warrants issued by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF). Operation Murder, Inc. was launched by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) and the Federal Police (PF). The case had been investigated by the PF since February last year.
“Only God knows how much we dream of this day! Today is another big step towards getting the answers we’ve asked ourselves so much in recent years: who ordered Mari to be killed and why? I’m grateful for the commitment of the PF, the federal government, the MP federal and state and Minister Alexandre de Moraes. We are closer to Justice! Great day!”, he stated.
Domingos Brazão’s defense stated that the TCE advisor from RJ is innocent.
“I am absolutely certain that this accusation is unfounded. He did not know Marielle, he had no connection with Marielle, and now it is up to the defense to prove this (…) I am absolutely certain that he is innocent”, said lawyer Ubiratan Guedes, at the door of the PF headquarters in the Port Zone of Rio.
Lawyer Carlos Henrique Dias, who is defending Rivaldo Barbosa, did not speak to journalists.
Alexandre Dumans, who advocates for the Association of Civil Police Delegates (Adpol), informed that the entity will provide full assistance to the delegate.
According to the defender, he has not yet had access to the investigation and is seeking details of his client’s arrest and search and seizure warrant.
“Adepol will provide assistance to delegate Rivaldo. I have not yet had access to the seniors nor to the doctor. (But) We will be constituted and Adepol, without a doubt, will take care of his case”, said the lawyer.
TV Globo found that among the targets were delegate Giniton Lages, head of the Homicide Police Station at the time of the attack and the first to investigate it, and Marcos Antônio de Barros Pinto, one of his main subordinates.
Journalist Daniela Lima, from GloboNews, found that minister Alexandre de Moraes ordered the two to be removed from their current roles and to wear an ankle bracelet.
Octávio Guedes also found that Erica de Andrade Almeida Araújo, Rivaldo’s wife, had a search and seizure ordered, assets blocked and the commercial activity of her company suspended, which, according to the PF, laundered money for her husband.
Agents seized documents and took electronics for forensic examination.
Tags: Marielle case Work considered finished Lewandowski arrest alleged masterminds Rio Janeiro
