Highlights: Six years ago, on March 14, 2018, Rio de Janeiro MP Marielle Franco was killed along with her driver. The crime caused great emotion in the country and even abroad. The investigation dragged on for years, but on Sunday March 24, the courts announced the arrest of the alleged masterminds of the assassination. Suspicions of a political motive were confirmed. According to investigators, Mariele Franco wanted to fight the mafia activities of the Rio militias. She notably opposed a bill which aimed to regularize illegal occupations of land.

Six years ago, on March 14, 2018, Rio de Janeiro MP Marielle Franco was killed along with her driver. The crime caused great emotion in the country and even abroad. The investigation dragged on…

Assassination of Marielle Franco in Brazil: six years later, three alleged masterminds arrested

Six years ago, on March 14, 2018, Rio de Janeiro MP Marielle Franco was killed along with her driver. The crime caused great emotion in the country and even abroad. The investigation dragged on for years, but on Sunday March 24, the courts announced the arrest of the alleged masterminds of the assassination. And suspicions of a political motive were confirmed.

Marielle Franco, a figure in the fight for the rights of black and LGBT+ communities, was leaving a debate with young black women when her car was riddled with bullets on March 14, 2018. (Foto: Divulgação/PSOL)

By: RFI Follow

Why did Marielle Franco, a black MP from Rio de Janeiro and LGBT+ activist, have to die? Many Brazilians, starting with those close to him, have asked themselves this question for six years. The arrest of those who ordered his assassination could provide the answer.

Read alsoBrazil is moved by the assassination of a left-wing municipal councilor in Rio

According to the Federal Supreme Court, three men planned the murder of Marielle Franco: the former head of the civil police of Rio, Rivaldo Barbosa, the former advisor of the Court of Auditors of Rio, Domingos Brazao and his brother, the MP Joao Brazao. It was the man accused of shooting the deputy, arrested five years ago, who finally revealed the names of the masterminds of the crime.

According to investigators, Marielle Franco wanted to fight the mafia activities of the Rio militias. She notably opposed a bill which aimed to regularize illegal occupations of land in a district which was the electoral stronghold of the Brazao brothers. The latter were known to have links with the militias. They would have decided to eliminate the one who represented a danger to their criminal affairs. After their arrest and that of their accomplice, the justice system welcomed “

the victory of the Brazilian state against organized crime

”.

Read alsoAssassination of Marielle Franco in Brazil: five years later, the investigation relaunched by the confession of a suspect

Assassination of Marielle Franco in Brazil: six years later, three alleged masterminds arrested

Assassination of Marielle Franco in Brazil: six years later, three alleged masterminds arrested

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