The Federal Police said this Thursday (9) that they found traces of blood on the boat of Amarildo, a fisherman known as Pelado and who, according to witnesses, followed indigenist Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips before they disappeared on Sunday.
"Temporary arrest has already been requested and the material collected is on its way to Manaus," the PF said. Folha was unable to contact Pelado's defense.
The indigenist and the English journalist disappeared when they were passing through Vale do Javari towards the city of Atalaia do Norte.
According to the Military Police of Amazonas, the Pelado's boat was spotted following them.
The fisherman, according to União dos Povos Indígenas do Vale do Javari, has a history of threats and violence against indigenous people and indigenists.
After finding traces of blood on his speedboat, the PF will still need to confirm that it is human blood – and, in this case, try to verify if there is a relationship with those of the disappeared.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon