Brazil supreme court convicts two politicians over 2018 murder of Marielle Franco

Brazil’s Supreme Court has convicted 2 politicians for ordering the 2018 assassination of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, successful a ruling that showcases the entrenched links betwixt authorities and organized crime.

In a unanimous determination connected Wednesday, the tribunal recovered erstwhile national lawmaker Chiquinho Brazão and his brother, Domingos Brazão, a erstwhile authorities legislator, blameworthy of masterminding the killing.

Franco was changeable dormant successful cardinal Rio alongside her driver, Anderson Gomes, successful a transgression that stunned the federation and drew planetary condemnation.

Franco, a 38-year-old Black and openly lesbian activistic raised successful a favela, had go a salient professional of Rio’s paramilitary militias.

Her execution successful March 2018 sparked wide protests and intensified scrutiny of the city’s almighty transgression networks.

Two erstwhile subject constabulary officers convicted of carrying retired the killings were handed lengthy situation sentences successful 2024.

According to the four-member bench, the Brazão brothers orchestrated the assassination successful retaliation for Franco’s absorption to authorities that would person efficaciously legitimized onshore illegally seized by militia groups controlling immense areas of Rio.