Superior Electoral Court fears influence of organized crime on Rio elections

Superior Electoral Court (TSE) President Justice Gilmar Mendes reaffirmed today (Sep. 8) his concern about the violence situation against candidates for 2016 municipal elections in a region of Rio de Janeiro known as Baixada Fluminense, where murder cases against politicians are frequently reported.

"We have news that Rio's paralegal and paratrooper system has operated with an effective participation in the electoral process. We worry that organized crime participates in the funding elections and we feel concern that organized crime organizes itself politically. This needs to be a cause for concern for all authorities," said Gilmar Mendes.

He made the statement after being asked about the operation launched this Thursday (8) by Rio's Civil Police to arrest suspects of involvement in the death of politicians from Baixada Fluminense, one of the most violent regions of the state. In nine months, 13 people involved with local politics were murdered in the region.

The operation was based on police investigations conducted by Baixada Fluminense Homicide Division and was supported by GAECO, a special group for fighting organized crime from the Public Prosetion Office of Rio de Janeiro state.

The Electoral Court has called for federal police's support to probe into these crimes.

*With additional reporting by Vitor Abdala

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta