Ricardo Lewandowski on those behind the murder of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes: ‘It’s a victory for the Brazilian State in the fight against organized crime’ | Policy

The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowskiheld a press conference this Sunday (24) after the arrest of three suspected perpetrators of the murder of Marielle Franco It is Anderson Gomes. The detainees were the brothers Domingos Brazãocurrent advisor to the State Court of Auditors, Chiquinho Brazãowho holds the position of federal deputy for Rio de Janeiro, and Rivaldo Barbosawho previously held the post of head of the Rio Civil Police.

In a press conference, Lewandowski celebrated the work of the Federal Police and stated: “It is a victory for the Brazilian State in the fight against organized crime. At this moment the work has been considered finished.” The minister also added that the investigations and the role of each person involved in the process were essential for success in this Sunday’s secret operation (24).

Ricardo also informed that the prisoners are undergoing the necessary medical examinations before being sent to the Federal Prison of Brasília on Sunday night (24), where they will be available to the STF. “This shows that organized crime will not be successful in this country, because we have a security force that is alert, attentive and sufficiently prepared to face it”, concluded the minister.

Marielle and Anderson were executed six years ago, completed on March 14 of this year. The investigations seek to answer the question of who ordered Marielle to be killed and why.

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro was in charge of the case, but, in 2023, it began to be handled by the Federal Police (PF). On the 14th, the investigations reached the STF because the person responsible for the crime could be an authority with privileged jurisdiction.

In addition to Ronnie Lessawho carried out the crime, are also arrested for participation Elcio de Queirozwho drove the car that followed Marielle and Anderson, Maxwell Simõeswho helped to disappear the weapons used in the execution, and Edilson Barbosawho dismantled the car driven by Elcio.

On January 23, the Intercept Brazil reported Ronnie Lessa’s plea bargain with the PF, and that the former PM had indicated the counselor of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors, Domingos Brazão, as the mastermind of the crime. However, no name was mentioned by Lewandowski at the press conference given on March 19 about the case. In 2023, the investigation was sent to the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) due to suspicions of Brazão’s participation in the crime.

What are the next steps after the arrest of the alleged masterminds?

In parallel with the arrests, 12 search and seizure warrants were issued, being executed both at the Rio Civil Police headquarters and at the State Court of Auditors. During the searches, documents and electronic devices were confiscated for expert analysis.

Investigators are committed to clarifying the motivation behind the crime, which, according to preliminary information, is related to the territorial expansion of militias in Rio de Janeiro.

The operation was launched in the early hours of Sunday (24) to surprise the suspects, who, according to information from police intelligence, had been in a state of alert in recent days, following the approval by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) of the plea bargain of Lessa, who identified the alleged masterminds and provided details about the motivation for the murder in his collaboration agreement with the Federal Police.

According to the former police officer, they are part of an influential political group in Rio de Janeiro, with diverse interests in various sectors of the State. He described encounters with these individuals and presented evidence about the motivations behind the crime.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality and Marielle’s sister, highlighted that this is another significant step in the search for answers over the last few years.

“Today is another big step towards getting the answers we’ve been asking ourselves so many questions in recent years,” he wrote. “It’s a Sunday of a lot of pain, but also for justice to be done,” said Marinete da Silva, Marielle’s mother, in an interview with GloboNews.