Brazil police arrest suspected masterminds behind 2018 assassination of councillor Marielle Franco
- Killing of Franco – a black, bisexual city councillor – in a drive-by shooting shook Brazil and reverberated across the world
- Police officer Chiquinho Brazão and brother Domingos Brazão, a member of Rio state’s accounts watchdog, were arrested for ‘ordering hit against Franco’
The assassination of Marielle Franco, a 38-year-old black, bisexual city councilwoman in a drive-by shooting, shook Brazil profoundly and reverberated across the world.
Police investigations showed federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão, a member of Rio state’s accounts watchdog, were detained on suspicion of ordering a hit against Franco. Both have alleged connections to criminal groups, known as militias, who illegally charge residents for various services, including protection.
Ubiratan Guedes, the lawyer representing Domingos Brazão, denied the accusations against his client. “He did not know Marielle, had no connection with Marielle,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Lawyers for Chiquinho Brazão, who served on Rio’s council at the same time as Franco and is now a congressman, and former police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, said their clients denied any wrongdoing, according to local media.
Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said in a press conference that the motivation for the crime is “complex because that group [the Brazãos] has multiple interests”.
He said investigations have suggested lawmaker Chiquinho Brazão was especially upset about a bill that his then-colleague Franco sponsored at the city council about regulation of land to build public housing in Rio.
