A Supreme Court panel unanimously accepted charges against Congressman Chiquinho Brazão, his brother Domingos Brazão, and former Rio State Police Chief Rivaldo Barbosa for the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro City Councilor Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes.
The decision paves the way for a trial for their alleged involvement in the murders. The Brazilian Report has reported that the Brazão brothers and Mr. Barbosa were arrested earlier for obstruction of justice in the case, causing a stir in Brazil.
The Federal Police report linked the Brazão brothers to the crime, citing their ties to “militias,” urban paramilitary police groups controlling parts of Rio de Janeiro. The case saw developments with confessions from suspects like Élcio Queiroz and Ronnie Lessa.
In a political context, the bill supported by Mr. Brazão, opposed by Ms. Franco, aimed to regularize land use in Rio’s West Side, potentially benefiting militia members. The bill was eventually struck down, leading to charges against the Brazão brothers and Mr. Barbosa by the Federal Prosecution Office.
Congressman Brazão faces an impeachment process by the House Ethics Committee in a separate case.