Court releases councilor arrested on suspicion of negotiating campaign with Comando Vermelho

Judge Marcus Basilio, from the 7th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, revoked on the afternoon of this Friday, 13th, the arrest of councilor Salvino Oliveira (PSD), detained on Wednesday, 11th, by the Civil Police on suspicion of having requested authorization from Comando Vermelho (CV) leaders to carry out an electoral campaign in areas dominated by the faction.

In the decision, Basilio stated that he did not identify, in the elements presented to justify the detention, “indispensability for the investigation, well-founded reasons for authorship/participation and contemporary facts” that would impede the parliamentarian’s freedom.

The judge classified the basis of the arrest as “quite precarious” and pointed out that there was only reference to a third-party conversation that took place more than a year ago.

According to the Civil Police, Salvino had negotiated directly with drug dealer Edgar Alves de Andrade, known as “Doca”, authorization to campaign in the community of Gardênia Azul, in the west zone, an area under the control of Comando Vermelho.

In return, the councilor would articulate benefits to the criminal group, presented as actions aimed at the local population.

One of the examples cited by the investigators was the choice of kiosk administrators in Gardênia Azul, who would be linked to the faction. Investigators did not present evidence of Salvino’s involvement in the case.

In a statement released after his release, the councilor celebrated the decision and stated that he was the victim of a political fight. “The Judiciary corrected an injustice. I said that I was the victim of a political fight. And I believe that was clear,” he said. Salvino stated that his accusers “will be accountable to the courts” and “answer for their actions”.

The arrest triggered a conflict between the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes (PSD), an ally of the councilor, and governor Cláudio Castro (PL).

Paes accused the head of the state Executive of using the security forces politically and promoting persecution against opponents.

The police investigation points to two other targets that have not yet been located. Márcia Gama, wife of the criminal being investigated, is appointed as an intermediary for the group’s interests outside the prison system, with participation in the circulation of information between members and in coordination with external agents.

Landerson, nephew of drug dealer Marcinho VP, is being investigated for acting as a link between the faction’s leaders, members who work in communities dominated by the group and people involved in economic activities operated by the organization, such as services, real estate and other businesses.

Both were not found at their addresses and are considered fugitives.