Brazilian authorities today (Feb. 2) ruled the temporary imprisonment of three men involved in the beating and killing of Congolese immigrant Moïse Mugenyl Kabagambe. The crime took place on January 24, at a beach kiosk named Tropicália, in Barra da Tijuca, a district in West Rio de Janeiro. The order was issued in the early hours by on-duty judge Isabel Teresa Pinto Coelho Diniz.
The Civil Police had requested prosecutors to order the temporary arrest yesterday. Henrique Damasceno, chief of police at the city’s Homicide Division, said the men will answer for doubly aggravated homicide.
According to Rio de Janeiro’s Court of Justice, the accused were identified after testimonies were heard from people who witnessed the beating, in which wooden bars were used. After the act, the victim was tied up with a rope by one of the charged.
In her ruling, the judge notes that more investigation is necessary until the facts are fully brought to light.
“A temporary arrest is a cautionary measure aiming to ensure investigations are efficient so that the grounds for the beginning of a criminal case can be ascertained.”
Footage shows that three men participated in the bout of violence against Kabagambe, who was brutally beaten to death, following the beginning of what seems to be an argument. The circumstances surrounding the quarrel are still being uncovered.
Family members of the Congolese man argue he had gone to the place to ask for money owed to him. The attackers claim he had started a fight at the establishment.
