Marielle case: general denies political nomination in appointment of Rivaldo Barbosa as head of the Civil Police
Former Secretary of Public Security of Rio de Janeiro, General Richard Nunes denied that he had received any political indication to appoint as head of the state’s Civil Police.
Richard Nunes was secretary of the department in March 2018, when Rio councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL) and driver Anderson Gomes were murdered. he was appointed head of the Civil Police — responsible for investigations — days before the murders.
Feedback and reporting
In addition to denying having received a nomination, the general said that he received “positive feedback” from society shortly after his appointment. Nunes also said that he had had contact with Barbosa in previous activities and that the relationship was strictly professional.
A report from the secretariat’s Intelligence sector contraindicated the appointment due to use of the position to allegedly obtain advantages. The former secretary said he ignored the document because “he saw something in the field of morality and not in the criminal field”.
The general — current Chief of Staff of the Army — was heard this Wednesday (9) by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in the action investigating the crime. He was summoned to give testimony by STF minister Alexandre de Moraes. Barbosa is appointed by the Federal Police (PF) as the intellectual mentor of the double homicide.
Regular meetings
In her testimony, Nunes said that she held regular meetings with Barbosa to discuss the Marielle case. “(To) keep me informed about the lines of investigation and meet the demand to take action”.
According to the general, no line of investigation was abandoned at the time. Nunes also said that, at a certain point, the names of Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz — who carried out the crime — appeared in the investigation.
The general also said that the data that reached him indicated that criminal groups operating in the west zone of Rio were linked to the crime.
In addition to Barbosa, the brothers Chiquinho and Domingos Brazão are . They are accused of having Marielle killed. The brothers deny the accusations.
Interrogations of the Brazão and Barbosa brothers are scheduled for the period between October 21st and 25th.
