Brazil: Ex-Lawmakers Convicted in Marielle Franco Assassination
Rio de Janeiro – Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has convicted two former lawmakers of ordering the 2018 assassination of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a case that exposed deep-seated links between political figures and organized crime in the country. The unanimous verdict, delivered on Wednesday , marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international condemnation and fueled calls for justice.
Chiquinho Brazao, 62, a former federal lawmaker, and his brother Domingos Brazão, 60, a former state lawmaker, were each sentenced to 76 years and three months in jail. The charges include double aggravated homicide, armed criminal organization, and attempted murder of an aide who survived the attack. The court found that Franco was deliberately targeted because her political work posed a threat to the interests of the Brazao brothers.
Marielle Franco, a 38-year-old Black, lesbian activist, was gunned down in March while traveling in a car with her driver, Anderson Gomes, who also died in the shooting. Franco had risen from a favela background to become a prominent voice for marginalized communities and a vocal critic of Rio de Janeiro’s powerful militia groups – criminal organizations that often operate with impunity, providing illicit services in exchange for protection money.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes, speaking during the trial, stated that the Brazao brothers were not merely in contact with the militia, but were, in effect, part of it. This assertion underscores the extent to which criminal networks have infiltrated Brazil’s political system. Franco, from her position on the city council, had actively worked to prevent the expansion of clandestine housing developments in impoverished neighborhoods, a key source of income for these militias.
The assassination sparked widespread protests across Brazil and internationally, with calls for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. The case quickly became a symbol of the violence faced by activists and human rights defenders in Brazil, particularly those challenging the status quo and advocating for social justice.
While the conviction of the former lawmakers represents a major breakthrough, the investigation has been protracted and complex. Former military police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Vieira de Queiroz previously confessed to carrying out the shooting and were sentenced to 59 and 78 years in prison, respectively. However, questions remained about who ordered the hit and the motives behind it.
The investigation revealed that a Cobalt vehicle, with a license plate from Nova Iguaçu, a city in the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro, was parked near the Casa das Pretas, the venue where Franco had been mediating a debate with young Black women, prior to the assassination. The vehicle followed Franco’s car shortly after she left the venue, and thirteen shots were fired from it on Joaquim Paralhes Street in Estácio, resulting in Franco and Gomes’ deaths.
In a related development, Edilson Barbosa dos Santos was convicted of obstructing the investigation by dismantling the car used in the drive-by shooting and sentenced to five years in prison. This conviction, while separate from the sentencing of the former lawmakers, highlights the efforts made to conceal evidence and impede the pursuit of justice.
The case has also brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of political activists in Brazil. Marielle Franco’s work focused on issues such as police brutality, racial discrimination, and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, making her a target for those seeking to silence dissenting voices. Her murder served as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who challenge powerful interests.
The conviction of the Brazao brothers is expected to have significant political ramifications in Brazil. It raises questions about the extent of corruption and criminal influence within the country’s political institutions and could lead to further investigations into other cases involving alleged ties between politicians and organized crime.
The Supreme Court’s decision also comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Brazil’s justice system and its ability to address issues of impunity and systemic violence. The case of Marielle Franco has become a test of the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of its citizens.
One of Franco’s parliamentary aides was a survivor of the attack and subsequently left Brazil. The investigation also involved a crime simulation with four witnesses, providing crucial insights into the events leading up to the assassination.
The international community has welcomed the convictions as a step towards justice for Marielle Franco and a signal that those who commit such crimes will be held accountable. However, many observers emphasize that the fight for justice is not yet over and that continued vigilance is needed to ensure that all those responsible for Franco’s death are brought to justice.