Marielle case: Moraes votes to keep Domingos Brazão in prison

The minister Alexandre de Moraesof the Federal Supreme Court (STF), voted, this Friday (8), to maintain the arrest of the counselor of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors (TCE-RJ) Domingos Brazãoaccused of involvement, as mastermind, in the murder of councilor Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes, in 2018.

The vote was given in the virtual trial in which the accused’s defense intends to reverse the minister’s decision that ordered Brazão’s arrest, which was carried out in March this year. He is imprisoned in the federal penitentiary in Porto Velho (RO).

By maintaining his opinion in favor of arrest, Moraes stated that his decision is based on the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence and suspicions of interference in the murder investigations. Therefore, says the minister, it is not appropriate to replace prison with precautionary measures.

“The presence of elements indicative of the aggressor’s action to obstruct the investigations (facts that are being subject to autonomous investigation, in Inquiry 4.967/RJ, from my rapporteur), also reinforce the need to maintain his preventive detention and prevent his replacement for precautionary measures other than prison”, explained the magistrate.

Also read:

• “Justice arrives”: read the sentence that condemned the murderers of Marielle and Anderson
• Marielle: Moraes orders the PF to deliver reports on “intellectual authors” of the crime
• Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz are convicted of the murder of Marielle Franco

In addition to Domingos, the federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão (no party-RJ)Domingos’ brother, and the former head of the Civil Police of Rio Rivaldo Barbosa are also arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder.

According to the investigation carried out by the Federal Police (PF), Marielle’s murder was related to the parliamentarian’s opposition to the interests of the political group led by the Brazão brothers, who are linked to land issues in areas controlled by militias in Rio.

According to the plea bargain of former police officer Ronnie Lessa, a confessed defendant in carrying out the gunshots at the councilwoman, the brothers Brazão and Barbosa acted as those who ordered the crime.

The virtual trial of Domingos Brazão’s defense appeal continues in the First Panel of the Supreme Court until November 18th.

Condemned executioners

Last week, Ronnie Lessa and former police officer Élcio de Queiroz, also a confessed killer of Marielle and Anderson, were convicted by the 4th Jury Court of Rio de Janeiro.

Ronnie Lessa was sentenced to 78 years, 9 months and 30 days in prison. Élcio, 59 years, 8 months and 10 days.

(With Agência Brasil)