Social unrest over the death of Mariel Franco was and still is the occasion for demonstrations in many social spaces. Author: Reuters
BRAZIL, Feb. 22 — Brazil’s Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino, has decided to open a new investigation by the Federal Police into the case of black councilor Mariel Franco, who was murdered nearly five years ago in Rio de Janeiro.
“In order to increase federal cooperation with the investigation of the activities of the criminal organization that committed the murders of Marielle and Anderson (Gomez), I have ordered an investigation by the Federal Police. We are doing everything we can to help solve such crimes,” Dino wrote on Twitter.
In January, upon taking office, the minister told the relatives of the human rights activist that “it is a matter of honor for the Brazilian state to make every possible and reasonable effort, and it will do this so that this crime is finally solved.” “”, – said the PL.
Dino, Telesur recalled, had already met Rio de Janeiro Attorney General Luciano Mattos on Feb. 15 when he announced the formation of a working group to ensure the progress of the investigation.
Franco of the Party of Socialism and Freedom and his driver Gomez were killed in the central region of Rio on the night of March 14, 2018.
Throughout the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, little has been done to deeply clarify the facts and, on the contrary, it has recently emerged that the ex-governor, a misogynist, homophobe and racist, told his diplomatic corps and his country’s embassies in Europe to put pressure on foreign media, giving crime what he called “too much meaning”.
Thirteen rounds from an HK MP5 precision submachine gun, used only by the elite police force, hit the vehicle in which they were traveling.
The families of both said they had lost hope of solving the crime, the department added.
To date, there is no clarity as to who bears the intellectual responsibility for the fatal crime investigated by the civil police and the Rio de Janeiro Ministry of Public Administration.
Throughout this period, the investigation points to the participation of police officers from law enforcement agencies.
On March 14, 2019, retired police officer Ronnie Lessa and former military officer Elcio Queiroz were arrested on charges of being the essential authors of the crime.
The motive for the murder is still unclear, but according to reports, Franco was killed for her human rights activities.
Mariel was a feminist and LGBTIQ+ activist and has repeatedly condemned police and paracop violence, especially against favelas.
According to authorities close to the investigation, the causes leading to the fatal attacks were related to the cases the activist was defending.
The case had international resonance and turned the sociologist and feminist into a political symbol of the struggle for human rights and greater participation of black women in power in Brazil.
Almost five years later, the question: “Who ordered the murder of Mariel Franco?” still no answer, reminded PL.
Source: Juventud Rebelde