Marielle Franco case: Brazao brothers convicted of ordering murder of Rio councilwoman

"Two political strongmen from Rio de Janeiro known for defending the interests of paramilitary criminal groups, brothers Domingos and Joao Francisco Chiquinho Brazao, were convicted on Wednesday for ordering the murder of Marielle Franco, a 38-year-old left-wing city councilor, in 2018. The presiding judge said that it was a political crime in which misogyny and racism also played a role."

"With this ruling, both the gunmen and the masterminds behind the most significant political assassination in Brazil in the past decade have been held accountable. Political violence has claimed the lives of around 700 Brazilians — elected officials and activists — over the last 20 years, according to a recent academic report."

"The Brazao brothers were convicted of the double murder of the councilor and her driver, as well as for belonging to an armed criminal organization. Both are veteran politicians with long careers in Rio, marked by suspicions surrounding their dangerous connections."

Brazil's Supreme Court convicted brothers Domingos and Joao Francisco Chiquinho Brazao for ordering the 2018 murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver. The presiding judge determined the killing was a political crime involving misogyny and racism. Both brothers are veteran Rio de Janeiro politicians with connections to paramilitary criminal groups. Chiquinho was a federal congressman forced to resign upon arrest, while Domingos held a position on Rio's Court of Accounts. The conviction represents accountability for both the gunmen and masterminds behind Brazil's most significant political assassination in the past decade. Political violence has claimed approximately 700 Brazilian elected officials and activists over the last 20 years.

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