The family of councilor Marielle Franco, murdered in March 2018, praised the Federal Police operation that arrested this Sunday (24) the brothers Chiquinho Brazão and Domingos Brazão, accused of being the masterminds of the crime, which also took the life of driver Anderson Gomes. Chiquinho is a federal deputy and Domingos, an advisor to the Court of Auditors of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Marielle’s relatives asked that the investigations continue, because “there is still a lot to be investigated”.
“Today is a historic day for Brazilian democracy and an important step in the search for justice in the case of Marielle and Anderson. We have been waiting for answers for more than 6 years about who ordered Marielle to be killed and why,” they wrote in a note released on social media.
“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 named as executors and principals. All arrests are preventive and there is still a lot to be investigated and clarified, especially regarding the clarification of motivations. But, the coordinated efforts of the authorities are a spark of hope”, highlighted the family.
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 results of the investigation and the possible denunciation of the principals and all those responsible for the 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
Marielle Franco’s family, in a note on social media
12 search warrants were also executed and, in addition to the brothers, the former head of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, delegate Rivaldo Barbosa, was arrested. The warrants were issued by the minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) Alexandre de Moraes. The operation had the participation of the Attorney General’s Office and the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro.
Who are the Brazão brothers
João Francisco Inácio Brazão, known as Chiquinho, is a federal deputy for União Brasil from Rio de Janeiro. Like Marielle, he was a councilor in the municipality when the murder occurred. The parliamentarian’s involvement led to the investigations going to the STF, as Chiquinho has a privileged forum. The case report was distributed by draw to Minister Alexandre de Moraes, from the First Panel, as it was a criminal action.
Domingos Brazão is an advisor to the Court of Auditors of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Author of the shots that killed Marielle and Anderson, former military police officer Ronnie Lessa told investigators, in a plea bargain, that Domingos had ordered the crime.
Lessa would have stated that the crime would be revenge against former state deputy Marcelo Freixo and his former advisor, Marielle Franco. The three, according to investigators, were fighting in the political area of the state.
The clashes would have started in 2008, when Freixo chaired the CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) of the militias in the State Legislative Assembly and cited Brazão, then a state deputy, as one of those involved with paramilitary groups.
In the following years, the relationship would have worsened. Appointed advisor to the state Court of Auditors in 2015, with Freixo’s opposition, Brazão was arrested and temporarily removed from office two years later on suspicion of corruption. However, he was reappointed in 2021. Brazão’s political allies were also arrested.
The Federal Police had already announced that the investigations would be completed by the end of March. The STJ (Superior Court of Justice) was responsible for analyzing the case because it is the court responsible for judging governors, judges and members of the state audit courts.
The motivation for the crime would have been a clash between Marielle Franco and Chiquinho Brazão over a bill, authored by Brazão, which regularized land dominated by the militia. Marielle was against the project and considered the main point of resistance within the City Council.
The law was approved, but vetoed by then mayor Marcelo Crivella. The veto was overturned by parliamentarians, which motivated the MPRJ (Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro) to file a lawsuit with the TJRJ (Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro). The court declared the law unconstitutional for “usurping the function of the head of the Executive and violating the constitution of the state of Rio de Janeiro.”
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