Businessman Eike Batista Shares Cell with Other Prisoners Arrested in Lava Jato Operation

02/02/2017 - 14h58

Businessman Eike Batista is sharing a cell in the public prison of Bandeira Stampa, in Bangu 9, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, with black market currency dealer Álvaro José Galliez Novis and Wagner Jordão Garcia, who were arrested in the 'Eficiência Operation', a branch of the Lava Jato operation in Rio.

The cell has 15 square meters, a television and a fan. Pictures disclosed on Tuesday, January 31, on evening news program 'Jornal Nacional' show a bottle of mineral water, a book, clothes and plastic bags on the top part of a bunk bed, where Batista spent his first night.

There are also packages of cookies on a counter and several bottles of water in the cell. Another picture showed a ready meal offered by the prison, with rice, farofa and a sausage.

The bathroom is separated by two walls but there is no door and there is only one toilet seat on the floor. The prison is facing water shortage.

Batista was transferred to Bangu on Monday afternoon, January 30, a few hours after he was arrested during the Eficiêcia Operation begun by the Brazilian Federal Police on January 26.

	Reprodução/Tv Globo
	The cell has 15 square meters, a television and a fan

Batsita was in the Ary Franco jail, in Rio's north zone, which is used as a sorting unit. Worries arose regarding Batista's stay in the unit, built in 1970, known for its poor sanitary conditions and excessive number of inmates - prisoners live among rats, bats and cockroaches. Many of the cells are under ground.

When the operation began, Batista was travelling abroad, and was considered a fugitive wanted by the Interpol (International Police). At the time, his lawyers denied he had escaped from the country.

Batista's arrest was ordered after two black market currency dealers settled a plea bargain and confessed that they had paid US$ 16.5 million in bribes to the former governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sérgio Cabral, who also was arrested.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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