Court orders suspects of killing Argentinian tourist in Rio to custody

Judge Alexandre Abrahão Dias Teixeira of the Criminal Court in Rio has accepted the charges brought against Pedro Henrique (“PH”) Marciano; Valterson Ferreira Cantuária (“Tody Cantuária”); Júlio Cesar Oliveira Godinho, Thiago Noroes Lessa Silva (“Kadu Lessa”) for allegedly killing Argentinian tourist Matias Sebástian Carena on March 26, following a row in front of Barzin nightclub in Ipanema, South Rio. They were ordered to custody.

Pedro Henrique Marciano was arrested last Saturday (April 1). He was caught hiding at his girlfriend's in the Coreia slum in Senador Camará, a western district of the city. The other suspects are wanted by police, including Valterson Ferreira Cantuária, a former member of the successful 1990's samba group Karametade. He is believed to have flown to São Paulo and from there to Madrid, and is wanted by INTERPOL.

Before the recent, non-expiring custody order, the court had issued a 5-day order to detain the suspects on Tuesday (March 28).

In the ruling of Monday (March 3), the judge said police had been carrying out a thorough investigation and found evidence that the suspects were callous and had caused severe damage to the victim's family and public order, in addition to blemishing the international reputation of Rio de Janeiro state.

“The criminal act, which took place in an area busy with tourists, sparked an international incident and added further threat to the state's already troubled finance, because it has gained worldwide attention,” the judge said.

The suspects will be summonsed and have 10 days to submit a defense in writing.

Translated by Mayra Borges