The police had initially sought the arrest of four young suspects involved in the collective rape of a 17-year-old girl in Copacabana, but their request was not deemed urgent by the judicial plantão, leading to significant delays. The case was first routed to the Domestic Violence Court and then to a specialized court for crimes against minors, which further extended the timeline. It wasn't until 21 days later, after Carnaval, that the judicial decision was made to issue arrest warrants.

By the time the warrants were finally issued last Friday, the suspects had already absconded from their residences, evading justice as the police attempted to catch them unaware that Saturday. Consequently, the inability of the judicial system to treat the request with the urgency it warranted not only allowed the suspects time to escape but also exposed systemic issues related to how crimes against vulnerable populations are addressed in Brazil. This incident raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the legal mechanisms in place to protect young victims and ensure the swift apprehension of alleged perpetrators.

The case has sparked outrage and calls for reform within the judicial process, highlighting the need for more responsive legal frameworks to manage urgent cases involving sexual violence, particularly against minors. Activists have been vocal about the need for changes to ensure that future requests for immediate action are prioritized appropriately to prevent similar outcomes in the future.