Supreme Court Minister Cristiano Zanin voted to convict the Brazão brothers for their roles in the assassination of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver in 2018.
On Wednesday, Supreme Court Minister Cristiano Zanin voted to convict brothers Chiquinho and Domingos Brazão for orchestrating the assassination of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, in March 2018, in Rio de Janeiro. Zanin's vote aligned closely with that of the case's rapporteur, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, indicating a strong consensus within the court regarding the gravity of the crimes involved. This ruling represents a significant step forward in the ongoing quest for justice for Franco, whose murder has been a rallying point for many advocates against political violence and for women's rights in Brazil.
In addition to the Brazão brothers, Zanin also voted to convict Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira, a Major in the Military Police, for his role in the homicides, as well as Robson Calixto Fonseca, a military police officer and former aide to Domingos Brazão, for participating in the criminal organization responsible for the assassinations. The court reaffirmed the necessity of holding all individuals accountable, regardless of their position, underscoring the principle that no one is above the law.
Despite the convictions, the court did not find sufficient evidence to link Rivaldo Barbosa de Araújo Júnior, a former chief of the Civil Police in Rio de Janeiro, directly to the murders, although he and Moraes noted the existence of obstructive behavior and corruption in the context of the case. The historical impunity of militia groups in Brazil serves as a backdrop to these events, suggesting that ongoing efforts to address such violence and corruption remain critical in the fight for justice and equity within the Brazilian political system.
