São Paulo – The Federal Police carried out Operation Murder Inc this Sunday (24) and arrested federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão (União Brasil-RJ), TCE-RJ advisor Domingos Brazão and Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of the Civil Police of Rio of January. The three had arrest warrants issued by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and are accused of being responsible for the murder of councilor Marielle Franco, which took place six years ago.
Three preventive arrest warrants and 12 search and seizure warrants were served, issued by the Federal Supreme Court, all in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The investigation progressed after ex-military police officer Ronnie Lessa, arrested as the perpetrator of the crime, which occurred on March 14, 2018. Due to the investigation being carried out under a privileged jurisdiction, the investigation reached the STF and, by lot, is reported by Minister Alexandre de Moraes.
This Monday, the first group of the STF formed a majority vote and confirmed Minister Alexandre de Moraes’ decision that led to the arrest of the three suspects. The analysis ends at 11:59 pm this Monday, but it is likely that the score will be defined sooner.
In a press conference this Sunday, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, said that the elucidation of the Marielle Case is a “significant triumph of the Brazilian state against organized crime”. He also highlighted that the investigation managed to obtain sufficient evidence to file charges against those who carried out and ordered the crime. Once the complaint is accepted by the Court, the criminal action effectively begins.
“At this moment, we are clear about the perpetrators of this hateful crime, of a political nature. Of course, new elements may emerge, but at this moment, the work was considered finished. [pela Polícia Federal]said the minister.
A former member of the Federal Supreme Court, Lewandowski also recalled that the investigations only advanced after the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister Flávio Dino, his predecessor in the Justice portfolio. He also praised the Minister of the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the investigation at the Court, for the quick approval of the plea of Ronnie Lessa, arrested as the perpetrator of the crime.
Moraes removed the confidentiality of the decision that led to the arrests this Sunday afternoon. Read here the full Federal Police report that led to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of Marielle Franco.
