Minister Links Militias to Marielle Franco's Death

04/17/2018 - 11h01

Brazil's Public Security Minister, Raul Jungmann, said on Monday (the 16th) that the assassination of Councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL Party) could be linked to militias.

These criminal groups have traditionally been made up of people connected to the police but in recent years have also been recruiting thugs linked to drug traffickers.

In practice they sell protection, extort small businesses and operate services like public transport, natural gas distribution, internet and cable TV services illegally.

"The investigations have advanced and narrowed down the possibilities. One of them is crime related to the militias", said Jungmann at an event in Rio.

The minister, however, was unable to explain what led investigators to this hypothesis. "The one who can answer this is the head of the Civil Police", he said, when questioned about the type of evidence that suggests the involvement of militants.

Earlier this year, Marielle participated in the Militias CPI (Parliamentary Inquiry Commission), which sought the indictment of 225 politicians, police officers, penitentiary agents, military police firefighters and civilians.

Marcelo Freixo (PSOL Party), an ally of Marielle's, criticized Jungmann's declaration later in the afternoon.

"It isn't up to any minister, any politician, to be talking about a line of investigation. It is up to who is doing the investigation", he declared.

	Fábio Vieira/FotoRua/Folhapress
	A month after her murder, Sao Paulo remembers Marielle Franco

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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