Rio de Janeiro – In a landmark ruling that closes a harrowing chapter in Brazilian politics, two brothers, João ‘Chiquinho’ Brazão and Domingos Brazão, have been convicted of ordering the 2018 murder of Marielle Franco, a Rio de Janeiro city councilor and outspoken activist. The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision, delivered on Wednesday, brings to justice those long suspected of orchestrating the assassination that sparked national outrage and a prolonged search for accountability. The brothers were sentenced to 76 years in prison each.
The conviction marks a significant victory for those who have tirelessly campaigned for justice for Franco, a Black, lesbian, and favela-born politician who fearlessly challenged the status quo. The case, which exposed deep-seated ties between politics, crime, and the police in Rio de Janeiro, has been a focal point of national debate for years. The court also convicted Ronald Paulo Alves, a former police officer, to 56 years in prison, and Rivaldo Barbosa, a former head of the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, and Robson Calixto Fonseca, an advisor to the Brazão brothers, to 18 and nine years respectively, according to reporting from El País.
Fotografía de archivo realizada durante el pasado mes de noviembre de 2017 de Marielle Franco EFE/Mário Vasconcellos
Marielle Franco’s activism, rooted in her experiences growing up in the Maré favela, centered on advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and denouncing police brutality. Her outspoken criticism of paramilitary groups operating in Rio’s western zone, and their encroachment on land and local politics, is believed to have been a key motive for her assassination. The court found that the Brazão brothers, who allegedly led a paramilitary faction, ordered Franco’s murder to obstruct their illegal real estate dealings.
A Long Road to Justice
The investigation into Franco’s murder, which occurred on March 14, 2018, alongside her driver Anderson Gomes, was initially hampered by slow progress and allegations of obstruction. According to reports, initial investigations led by local police stalled with few suspects identified. The breakthrough came with the confession of Ronnie Lessa, the former police officer who carried out the shooting, and the subsequent reactivation of the investigation by the Federal Police in February 2023, under the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The Guardian notes that Chiquinho Brazão was a federal congressman at the time of his arrest in 2024 and was forced to resign his seat.
Political Violence and Paramilitary Influence
The case underscores the pervasive issue of political violence in Brazil, where approximately 700 elected officials and activists have been killed over the past two decades, according to a recent academic report cited by El País. The conviction of the Brazão brothers highlights the dangerous intersection of politics, organized crime, and corruption that plagues the country, particularly in Rio de Janeiro. The brothers’ long careers in politics were marked by suspicions of their connections to criminal groups, raising questions about the extent of their influence and the impunity they enjoyed for years.
Financial Repercussions and Loss of Office
In addition to the lengthy prison sentences, the court ordered the Brazão brothers to forfeit their public offices. Domingos Brazão was suspended from his position on Rio’s state audit court, though he continues to receive his monthly salary of approximately $10,000. The court also mandated a compensation payment of seven million reais (roughly $1.4 million or €1.1 million) to the families of Franco and Gomes, as well as to Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s press officer who survived the attack. Judge Alexandre De Moraes, who oversaw the case, described the murder as an act of “political violence of gender to interrupt a poor, Black woman who dared to confront the interests of white, rich militiamen.”
The conviction has been met with relief and celebration by Franco’s family, human rights defenders, and left-leaning politicians. Marinete da Silva, Franco’s mother, expressed her relief, stating, “I believe nothing was in vain. Today we leave here with our hearts comforted.” Her daughter, Anielle Franco, currently serves as the Minister of Racial Equality. Amnesty International hailed the ruling as a potential turning point against impunity, emphasizing the need to hold not only the perpetrators but also those who ordered the crime accountable.
The next step in the legal process involves the full implementation of the court’s ruling, including the seizure of assets and the finalization of the compensation payments to the victims’ families. Further investigations may also be conducted to uncover the full extent of the network of individuals involved in the assassination. The case serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of protecting those who speak truth to power.
This conviction in the Marielle Franco case represents a crucial step towards justice, but the fight against political violence and impunity in Brazil continues. Share your thoughts and reactions to this important development in the comments below.
