The Amazonas Public Security Secretariat dismissed the military police commander in Tabatinga (1,106 km from Manaus), Lt. Col. Eddie César, after the death of at least seven people, in apparent reprisal for the murder of a sergeant of the corporation.
The information was given by the secretary of Public Security Louismar Bonates during a hearing at the Legislative Assembly. The meeting was closed to the press, but Folha had access to the audio.
The wave of deaths occurred on June 12 and 13 but was only revealed two weeks later, after an article by Folha.
The alleged perpetrator of the shooting of Sgt. Michael Cruz was subsequently killed. Even so, the PMs mounted a large operation. According to witnesses, police officers killed three youths who did not resist, and another three were tortured and murdered. Another young man is still missing.
Bonates said that the command was removed “even though there is nothing proven of the effective or intentional participation of the Military Police. But we understand that we should give an immediate response."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon