Motivation for Marielle Franco’s murder was political, says Federal Police

Minister Lewandowski emphasized the complexity of the motivation for the crime, highlighting the illicit activities of militias in Rio de Janeiro and their involvement in territorial issues

The motivation for the murder of councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL-RJ) was political, according to the Federal Police investigation, which led to the arrest of the federal deputy of União Brasil, Chiquino Brazão, the current advisor to the Court of Auditors, Domingos Brazão, and the delegate Rivaldo Barbosa, then head of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro. Marielle’s actions against PLC 174/2016, authored by then councilor Chiquinho Brazão, are considered one of the pillars of the motivation for the murder.

“Here it is worth highlighting that this scenario intensified precisely in the second half of 2017, attributed by the employee [Ronnie Lessa] as being the origin of the execution planning investigated here. Occasion in which we highlight Chiquinho Brazão’s uncontrolled reaction to Marielle’s performance in the tight vote on PL 174/2016, voiced by rapporteur Arlei Assucena. In the same sense, they point out several signs of the involvement of the Brazão, especially Domingos, with criminal activities, including those related to militias and land grabbing and, finally, the divergence in the political field on issues of land regularization and defense was delimited. of housing rights.”

The Minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, stated that the arrest of the alleged perpetrators is a “victory for the Brazilian State” against organized crime, and that the investigations raise awareness about the actions of militias in Rio de Janeiro

“What this police report and the long investigations reveal, first of all, is the modus operandi of the militias in Rio de Janeiro, which is quite sophisticated, complex, which spreads, unfortunately, throughout the state and through various activities. I have the impression that from this case, we can, perhaps, unveil other cases, or at least follow the thread of a ball of yarn whose dimensions are not yet clear. This investigation is a kind of x-ray of how militias and organized crime operate in Rio de Janeiro, and how there is an intertwining with some political and public bodies, which is something that is really quite worrying.”

The operation that resulted in the arrests was titled “Murder, Inc.” and had the participation of 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.

The three suspects, Domingos and Chiquinho, were detained in Rio de Janeiro, along with police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, who is also suspected of obstructing the investigations. All were the targets of preventive arrest warrants issued by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

The arrest of the alleged masterminds occurred after the approval of the plea bargain of former military police officer Ronnie Lessa, who has been in prison since 2019 on charges of being one of the perpetrators of the crime. Lessa provided crucial information about the masterminds and the motivation behind the murder.

Marielle Franco’s family issued a statement describing the day as historic for Brazilian democracy and an important step in the search for justice. The Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, Marielle’s sister, expressed her gratitude for the arrests, highlighting the importance of finally getting answers about the case.

Investigations continue to fully determine the motives behind Marielle Franco’s murder.

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