Secretary supported Rivaldo’s appointment, despite a recommendation against

Former head of the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police Rivaldo Barbosa was appointed to the position ten days before the murder of councilor Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes.

He was arrested this Sunday (24), by order of the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, on charges of being involved in planning the crime.

The former head of the Civil Police was appointed on March 8, 2018 and sworn in on the 13th, one day before the murder, which occurred on the night of March 14.

In the report released after the arrest, investigators stated that Rivaldo was appointed to command the Rio Civil Police by the then Secretary of Public Security, Army General Richard Nunes.

At the time, Rio was under federal intervention in the area of ​​public security and the intervention was retired general Braga Netto.

According to the Federal Police, Richard Nunes supported Rivaldo’s appointment despite an opinion from the department’s intelligence department that did not recommend his appointment. For investigators, at the time, suspicions against Rivaldo were “on the verge of emerging”.

“However, the general supported Rivaldo’s appointment despite what had been recommended,” says the report.

Appointment of the former head of the Civil Police of RJ, Rivaldo Barbosa, in 2018 – DO Reproduction

The PF also says in the document that Rivaldo appointed police chief Giniton Lages to the homicide police station the day after Marielle’s murder. According to the investigation, the police chief was a “trusted person” of the then police chief.

“With the assumption of the position by Giniton, the guarantee of impunity for the perpetrators of the crime became operational. Initially this guarantee spread, including to the immediate perpetrators, which was narrated by Ronnie Lessa in the third and final meeting in which he participated in the presence of the Brothers Brazão, an opportunity in which it was indicated to him that Rivaldo was promoting the deflection of the investigation”, the report also says.

Other side

Heard by the PF during the investigations, General Richard Nunes gave a statement to the delegates and denied having any influence on Rivaldo’s choice.

“The Intelligence Undersecretary contraindicated Rivaldo’s name, but the deponent decided on his name, considering that such contraindication was not based on objective data. He had contact with Rivaldo at the time of the pacification force”, says the statement.