Former Rio Deputies Give Testimony on Murder of Marielle Franco

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Detective inspector Antonio Ricardo, director of the General Department of Homicide and Personal Protection of Rio de Janeiro, said the interrogations have to do with a possible political motivation behind Marielle’s death.

Domingos Brazão, a former deputy and counselor removed from the State Court of Auditors (TCE), may be summoned to testify once again, according to Antonio Ricardo.

“We will assess whether he needs to give a new testimony. For now, he is being heard as a witness,” said the delegate.

The two former MDB deputies have been imprisoned in Bangu for two years, on charges of corruption and money laundering schemes investigated in Operation ‘Cadeia Velha’, one of the ramifications of Lava Jato in Rio de Janeiro.

Federalization

The detective inspector emphasized his criticism of the federalization of the case, requested by Raquel Dodge, then Prosecutor General of the Republic.

At Dodge’s request, the investigation would fall outside the remit of the Civil Police and the Prosecutor’s Office (MP), and would be handled by the Federal Police (PF) and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF).

“If it were to be withdrawn from the Civil Police, there would be a great loss, because what we have already produced in terms of information and seized documents that are still under examination would be an immeasurable loss. That time is precious. We already have more than 30 volumes produced,” said the delegate.

On her final day as Prosecutor General of the Republic, Raquel Dodge asked the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to federalize the Marielle case, but the court has yet to decide on the matter.

Marielle Franco, a city councilor, was shot dead on March 14th, 2018, along with her driver Anderson Gomes, in the state capital of Rio de Janeiro.

Two suspects of the execution were arrested: Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz, but the principals behind the murder and its motivation are not yet known.

Source: Agência Brasil

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