The Public Ministry of Rio (MPRJ) denounced, this Tuesday (26), eight members of Comando Vermelho for the death of fighter and MMA teacher Diego Braga Nunes in Morro do Banco, in Itanhangá, in the West Zone of Rio. Diego was killed on January 15th, when he tried to recover his motorcycle, stolen the day before the crime.
The prosecution also requested the preventive detention of those accused of qualified intentional homicide — when there is intent to kill. The maximum sentence for the crime is 30 years.
According to the complaint, the crime was committed by bad reason, because the criminals suspected that Diego was a member of the militia, a rival criminal group to the Red Command; per kinda cruel, since the fighter was executed with a gunshot and subjected to a kind of “trafficking court”; It is no chance of defenseas the victim was unarmed and alone.
The prosecution also mentions that the criminals used restricted firearms, including 5.56 caliber (rifle), as well as 9mm.
The dynamics of the crime have as their starting point the theft of Diego’s motorcycle. The vehicle was taken in the early hours of January 15th by two men at his home, in Muzema, in the West Zone. Upon accessing images from a security camera, the fighter began searching for the vehicle.
He even posted recordings showing the bandits’ actions on his internet profile. (see below).
Video shows the moment of the theft of a missing fighter’s motorcycle
In the video, it is possible to see two men arriving on a motorcycle on the street where Diego lived. The criminal takes the fighter’s helmet and puts it on the ground. He then leaves pushing the motorcycle, valued at almost R$25,000.
According to investigations, Diego’s first attempt to find the stolen motorcycle was in the Tijuquinha community. Unsuccessfully, he went to Morro do Banco, where he was allegedly taken hostage by drug traffickers.
Diego Braga was a professional Muay Thai and MMA fighter. His professional career in MMA began in 2003. In the sport, he faced names like Charles do Bronx, Miltinho Vieira, Adriano Martins and Iliarde Santos — all of whom have spent time in the UFC, considered the most important category in MMA.
Diego also trained with brothers Rodrigo Minotauro and Rogério Minotouro and with Anderson Silva. His last professional fight was in 2019. He retired with 23 wins, eight losses and one draw.
Since then, the fighter has dedicated himself to his career as a martial arts teacher and trainer. He owned the Tropa Thai gym, which trains fighters, and trained his son, Gabriel Braga, who fights professionally.
In 2023, Gabriel Braga reached the final of the PFL featherweight tournament, a martial arts organization in the United States considered by experts to be the third largest MMA in the world.
Tags: MPRJ denounces members criminal faction death MMA fighter Morro Banco Rio Janeiro
