News|CourtsBrazil’s Supreme Court imposes steep sentences for Marielle Franco murderThe shooting of Franco, an activist, raised questions about political violence and corruption within Brazil’s government.
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled to convict five individuals for their involvement in the 2018 assassination of politician Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. This ruling concluded a significant trial that has been…
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled to convict five individuals for their involvement in the 2018 assassination of politician Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. This ruling concluded a significant trial that has been closely monitored.
The convicted individuals include former Congress member Chiquinho Brazao and his brother, Domingos Brazao, a councillor on Rio's state audit court. Both were found guilty of orchestrating the murder in response to Franco's stance against illegal land appropriations. They were sentenced to 76 years in prison.
Three co-defendants also received sentences. Robson Calixto Fonseca received a nine-year sentence for criminal conspiracy. Former police investigator Rivaldo Barbosa was sentenced to 18 years for passive corruption and obstruction of justice. Police officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira received a 56-year sentence for murder and attempted murder.
All five convicted individuals have denied their involvement in the crime.
This ruling concluded a significant trial that has been closely monitored.
Marielle Franco, a city councillor from Rio de Janeiro, was known for her advocacy for LGBTQ rights, racial minorities, women, and her criticism of police violence in low-income neighborhoods. On March 14, 2018, Franco and Gomes were shot and killed in a drive-by attack, which has been characterized as an assassination intended to silence her activism.
Prosecutors have credited information from two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Queiroz, who were previously arrested in 2019 for their roles in the murders. Their plea deals provided critical information leading to the convictions of the five co-conspirators. Lessa and Queiroz were sentenced in October 2024 to 78 and 59 years in prison, respectively.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes described the murders as part of a "militia modus operandi" aimed at preserving financial and political power. The trial has been considered a significant test of Brazil's commitment to addressing impunity, as noted by various human rights organizations.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.