A Brazilian court sentenced two former policemen to long prison terms in the high-profile case of the murder of a Rio de Janeiro city councilor and her chauffeur in 2018 – a crime that shocked the country and led to a wave of protests.
Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz pleaded guilty to shooting Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco and her chauffeur, Anderson Gomes. The perpetrators reached an agreement with the prosecutor's office, which is still investigating three other men suspected of planning and ordering the attack.
On Thursday, the perpetrators received sentences of 78 years and nine months and 59 years and eight months in prison. Prosecutor Eduardo Martins explained to journalists that the convicted would only be imprisoned for 30 years, because at the time of the murder the law did not provide for longer sentences.
The verdict is not final and the convicted have the right to appeal.
Many years in prison for former policemen for the murder of a Rio de Janeiro councilorANTONIO LACERDA/PAP/EPA
“The meaning of justice will never be complete for us.”
Franco, a black and openly gay councilor from the leftist Party of Socialism and Freedom (PSOL), was shot dead on March 14, 2018. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski considered the murder politically motivated. In his opinion, Franco offended influential interest groups by proposing to transform real estate in the city into apartments for the poor.
“Justice is being served, although the meaning of justice will never be complete for us after the loss of Marielle,” said the sister of murdered councilor Anielle Franco, who is the federal government's minister for equality. Brazil.
In March, the media reported the arrest of the alleged principals of Franco's murder: member of the lower house of the Brazilian Congress Chiquinho Brazao and his brother Domingos Brazao, an adviser to the state court of auditors, as well as former police chief in Rio de Janeiro Rivaldo Barbosa.
Main photo source: ANTONIO LACERDA/PAP/EPA