On Wednesday, Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes voted for the conviction of former deputy Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão as masterminds behind the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco (PSOL), who was assassinated in Rio de Janeiro. Moraes, serving as the rapporteur for this penal action in the Supreme Court, emphasized that the evidence pointed to a political motivation behind the crime, aligning with claims made by the Attorney General's Office that the Brazão brothers orchestrated the assassination to further their own interests in land-grabbing operations.

Moraes's vote marks a significant step in a long-running case that highlights the intertwined issues of violence, political rivalry, and organized crime in Brazil. The conflict between the Brazão family and the PSOL party has roots dating back to 2008 and the CPI das Milícias, an investigation led by former deputy Marcelo Freixo, which aimed to expose militia activities in Rio de Janeiro. This case sheds light on the broader implications of political violence in Brazil, where assassination of politicians is a grave concern affecting democratic processes.

The case is still ongoing, with additional votes expected from other Supreme Court ministers, including Cristiano Zanin, Cármen Lúcia, and Flávio Dino. The outcomes of their decisions will likely contribute to the evolving narrative of accountability in cases of political assassination and the fight against organized crime in the country, reflecting the challenging dynamics within Brazilian politics and governance.