First Panel of the STF has a majority to decide to maintain the arrests of the alleged masterminds of the Marielle case

Youthree suspects linked to the murder of Marielle Franco were transferred to different federal penitentiaries. Rivaldo Barbosa remains in the Federal Penitentiary of Brasília, in Papuda. Domingos Brazão, will be sent to the Federal Prison of Porto Velho, while federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão will be transferred to the Federal Prison of Campo Grande. The transfers took place on Sunday afternoon.

Domingos Brazão, advisor to the TCE-RJ, his brother Chiquinho, federal deputy for União Brasil, and the former head of the Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa, were detained on Sunday morning (24) - Photo Reproduction/Sérgio Lima / Poder360

The First Panel of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) formed a majority vote this Monday (25) to maintain Minister Alexandre de Moraes' decision on the arrests of alleged masterminds behind the brutal murder of councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL-RJ) and driver Anderson Gomes. In addition to Moraes' favorable vote, ministers Cármen Lúcia, Cristiano Zanin and Flávio Dino also supported the arrests and other precautionary measures determined in the operation launched this Sunday (24) against those being investigated.

Minister Luiz Fux's vote is still pending. Although the analysis is scheduled to end at 11:59 pm this Monday, it is likely that the score will be decided before this time. Only Flávio Dino among the ministers who supported Moraes' decision offered a detailed vote, based on arguments. He highlighted that the analysis of procedural documents suggests the existence of a potential criminal ecosystem within a federative unit.

Suspects

This case, which shocked Brazil and the world in March 2018, has been a milestone in the fight for justice and against impunity. After a long investigation, which lasted 6 years and involved several institutions, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro and the Public Ministry identified suspects of direct and indirect involvement in the crime, including executors and possible masterminds. After approval of the plea bargain of Ronnie Lessa, former military police officer accused of carrying out the shooting who victimized Marielle and Anderson, three prominent figures were arrested: Domingos Brazão, current advisor to the State Court of Auditors; Chiquinho Brazão, federal deputy for Rio de Janeiro and brother of Domingos; and Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of the Rio Civil Police.

In his testimony, Élcio Queiroz's accomplice, alleged driver of the vehicle used in the crime, mentioned deputy Chiquinho Brazão, which led to the case being referred to the Federal Supreme Court (STF). The Brazão brothers, appointed as principals, are long-time political figures in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Traditionally, this family has electoral and political influence in Jacarepaguá, West Zone of Rio, an area often associated with paramilitary groups. Rivaldo is under investigation for obstructing the investigation of the facts — he took over as head of the Civil Police the day before the attack and was a trusted person in Marielle's family.

Prisons

The arrests took place as part of Operation Murder, Inc., launched by the Federal Police in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office and the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro. According to the Federal Police, the operation aimed mainly to investigate those identified as the 'intellectual masterminds' of the homicides, in addition to investigating crimes related to criminal organizations and obstruction of justice. Still on Sunday, they were transferred to Brasília and sent to the federal penitentiary in the Federal District. In addition to the arrests, Moraes' decision also resulted in the removal of delegate Giniton Lages and commissioner Marco Antônio de Barros Pinto from their public duties.

Both worked at the Rio Homicide Police Station during the period of the crime. Giniton, appointed by the then head of Rio's Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa - who was also arrested on the same day -, was the delegate in charge of initiating investigations into the case. It is suspected that he not only covered up the crime, but also endorsed the murder.

Who are the suspects of having Marielle killed?

➡️Domingos Brazão

Domingos Brazão, current advisor to the Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors - Photo Reproduction/Tv Globo

Domingos Brazão, was the current advisor to the State Court of Auditors (TCE-RJ), a position that gives him the prerogative of special jurisdiction. As a result, its jurisdiction for judgment is exclusive to the Federal Supreme Court (STF). For this reason, the investigation of the Marielle case, which began in the RJ civil police, was transferred to the federal level in February 2023. Despite the preventive detention ordered by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), Brazão denies involvement in the crime.

His political career began in the 90s as a parliamentary advisor in the Rio City Council, being elected councilor in 1996 and then state deputy for five consecutive terms in Alerj. In 2015, he was nominated and elected to the TCE, leaving the MDB. His appointment faced questions due to a lack of documentation and legal proceedings, including one for abuse of economic power. He escaped accusations and was temporarily removed from Alerj due to allegations of vote buying, returning to his position after an injunction from the STF.

Brazão was associated with Rio das Pedras, a stronghold of the Rio militia, mentioned in the CPI das Milícias in 2008, but denies involvement. He admitted to having committed a murder in self-defense more than 30 years ago during a conflict in Alerj. In 2017, he was temporarily detained in Operation Quinto do Ouro, part of Lava Jato in Rio, on suspicion of participating in a bribery scheme at the TCE, but returned to his position after a court decision, although he faces criminal proceedings related to the case. Since the investigations began in 2018, his name has been mentioned in the process related to Marielle.

On June 18 of the same year, he gave his first statement when the case was still under the responsibility of the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police. He was summoned to testify at the Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC), due to suspicions of obstruction of the investigation. During his testimony, he stated that he met Marielle at two different times: after she was the councilor with the most votes and after her death. In 2019, he was accused by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) of obstruction of justice in the case.

➡️Chiquinho Brazão

Deputy Chiquinho Brazão (União Brasil - RJ) in a session in the Chamber - Photo reproduction/Mario Agra/Chamber of Deputies

Chiquinho Brazão, federal deputy from the Union Brazil party, also has a special forum and is part of a family of prominent politicians in Rio de Janeiro, including his older brother, Pedro Brazão, and Domingos Brazão. Before joining the Chamber of Deputies, he was a gas station businessman and councilor for the MDB for 12 years, a period that included part of Marielle Franco's mandate, without involvement in the case of her murder.

He was elected in 2018 by Avante and re-elected in 2022 by União Brasil. In 2023, he left the Chamber to become Municipal Secretary for Community Action in the government of Eduardo Paes, but was dismissed in February of the same year. In 2022, he received the Tiradentes medal from the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, without any mention of the Marielle case, stating that he had a cordial relationship with her during his time in the City Council.

➡️Rivaldo Barbosa

Delegate Rivaldo Barbosa - Photo Reproduction/TV Globo

Delegate Rivaldo Barbosa He assumed the position of chief of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, on March 13, 2018, one day before the attack that shocked the city. With a degree in law, Rivaldo already played the role of coordinator of the Homicide Division, being chosen for the position by the then federal intervener, General Walter Braga Netto. In his inauguration speech, Rivaldo highlighted the urgency of combating corruption and ensuring the tranquility of Rio society.

His appointment as head of the Civil Police occurred precisely on the eve of the tragic event. After the murder of Marielle Franco, Rivaldo expressed in an interview the seriousness of the case, classifying it as an attack on democracy. He committed to using all possible resources to clarify the crime, emphasizing the seriousness of the commitment.

Marielle's family's trust in Rivaldo was evident. In an interview given the morning after the incident, the councilor's mother, Marinete, revealed that the police officer's arrest was a big surprise for her. Marielle trusted Rivaldo's work, who considered it a matter of honor to elucidate the case. Marinete highlighted that, in addition to mutual trust, Marielle had guaranteed Rivaldo's entry into Complexo da Maré after a massacre, confident in the delegate's physical integrity.