Individuals suspected of ordering Marielle Franco's murder arrested

This Sunday (Mar. 24), the Federal Police are carrying out Operation Murder Inc, which is investigating the murders of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes, as well as the attempted assassination of her aide Fernanda Chaves. Sources linked to the investigation reported the arrest of Domingos Brazão, current advisor to the Court of Auditors, Chiquinho Brazão, federal representative, and Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of the Civil Police, all from Rio de Janeiro.

The Federal Supreme Court issued twelve search and seizure warrants, which are currently being executed in Rio de Janeiro. The operation involves the participation of both the Attorney General's Office and the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office.

The Rio de Janeiro State Civil Police Secretariat and the National Secretariat for Penal Policies, part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, are also involved in the operation. The focus of the action is to apprehend those responsible for planning the murders, with investigations also encompassing the crimes of criminal organization and obstruction of justice.

Agência Brasil is attempting to reach the defense teams of the accused individuals. In a January interview with UOL, Domingos Brazão stated that he neither knew nor remembered Marielle Franco.

Chiquinho Brazão had released a statement on March 20, after the accusation that he was the mastermind behind the crimes leaked to the press. The note expressed that he was "surprised by the speculation" and affirmed that his relationship with Marielle Franco had always been "friendly and cordial."

On social media, Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality and sister of Marielle Franco, expressed gratitude to the federal police, the federal government, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for their efforts. "We are closer to justice," Minister Franco stated. "God knows how much we dreamed of this day! Today marks another significant step toward getting the answers we've been seeking over the last few years: who ordered 'Mari' to be killed and why?"

Paulo Pimenta, the chief minister of the government's Social Communication Secretariat, highlighted on social media the decisive actions taken since the beginning of President Lula's term in clarifying the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes. Pimenta emphasized, "The federal government will continue to fulfill its role in combating these violent gangs that commit serious crimes against Brazilian families. The continuity of the investigations will certainly shed light on several other crimes."

* Article updated at 10:26 a.m. to include additional information.