The Brazilian Bar Association of Rio de Janeiro (OAB-RJ) issued a statement expressing its disapproval of any coercive or intimidating actions against attorneys. This comes after a lawyer representing a minor victim of a collective rape incident claimed to have received coercive messages from the father of a suspect. The statement, while unnamed, refers to José Carlos Costa Simonin, who allegedly attempted to intimidate the victim's lawyer in relation to his son, Vitor Hugo Oliveira Simonin, who is incarcerated on charges related to the crime.

The lawyer, Rodrigo Mondego, conveyed that he received a message from Simonin urging him to retract a complaint related to the case. Meanwhile, Vitor Hugo Oliveira Simonin's lawyer, Ângelo Máximo, has stated that his client denies involvement in the alleged crime. There is currently a significant public interest in the case, given its nature and the number of individuals involved, including three other suspects and a 17-year-old considered the ringleader of the incident who has also been apprehended.

This development reflects ongoing concerns about the integrity of legal processes and the potential for external pressures in highly sensitive cases like this, especially when they involve minors. The OAB-RJ's response is a vital reminder of the importance of protecting legal representatives from intimidation as they advocate for justice.