The mystery surrounding the assassination of Marielle Franco, a Black, gay, feminist councilwoman in Rio de Janeiro, may finally be coming to an end. After six years of speculation and protests, Brazilian police have made a breakthrough in the case.
On Sunday morning, Chiquinho and Domingos Brazão, two brothers who once served on Rio’s City Council, were arrested on accusations that they ordered the 2018 murder of Ms. Franco to silence her anti-corruption efforts. Rivaldo Barbosa, the former Rio police chief who oversaw the initial investigation into the killing, was also arrested for allegedly obstructing the case.
The arrests come after the police recommended homicide charges against Chiquinho Brazão and Mr. Barbosa. Domingos Brazão, currently a court official, could not be charged at this time. Lawyers for the accused have denied the allegations, claiming their clients had no connection to Marielle Franco.
Ms. Franco, along with her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes, was gunned down in March 2018 after leaving an event focused on empowering Black women. She was known for her outspoken criticism of Rio’s violence, corruption, and police brutality. Her murder sparked outrage and became a symbol of resistance against political violence in Brazil.
Since her death, activists have demanded justice for Marielle Franco, with the question “Who killed Marielle Franco?” becoming a rallying cry for social justice movements. Her sister, Anielle Franco, has continued her legacy as an anti-violence activist and was appointed Brazil’s first minister of racial equality.
The recent arrests in the case have shed light on the deep-rooted connections between crime, police, and politics in Rio de Janeiro. Marcelo Freixo, a former colleague of Ms. Franco, expressed little surprise at the involvement of senior officials in her assassination, stating, “We’ve long stated that crime, police, and politics are inextricably linked in Rio.”
As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the arrest of the Brazão brothers and Mr. Barbosa marks a significant development in the quest for justice for Marielle Franco and her legacy of fighting against corruption and injustice.
