Espírito Santo Gov. Says that Police Mutiny is Blackmail

02/09/2017 - 11h31

Called blackmail by the governor of the state of Espírito Santo on leave, Paulo Hartung (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party), the movement that took police officers off the streets of the state is already causing problems as residents have trouble to buy food and fuel and go to banks.

Gov. Hartung, who underwent an endoscopy to remove a tumor in his bladder in São Paulo, on Friday, February 3, made his first statement on the following Wednesday amid the wave of violence currently faced by the state.

The police officers' union says that the police strike has led to 85 homicides since Saturday. Stores were robbed, bus services came to a stop and stores and schools are closed.

The governor says that the people's rights were taken away. "They want ransom, but you cannot pay ransom for ethical aspects or for a failure to comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Law," said Hartung, in a reference to the police's demand for a 65% increase in wages by 2020.

	Joel Silva/Folhapress
	The police strike began on Friday, February 3, and has taken 1,200 army and National Force troops to the state since Monday

Some supermarkets of the metropolitan region opened their doors on Wednesday, February 8, but under a security scheme adopted by businessmen.

Long lines and complaints regarding missing products flooded the stores, as well as problems to replenish shelves and even fights for items.

Folha found empty ATMS, for example, in the Eurico de Aguiar Salles airport. The bank situation is even worse as bank agencies, post offices and lottery kiosks, where cash points can be found, are also closed.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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