Nothing especially new under the sun about Rio parapolitics. Above: Debut feature by Sergio Rezende (1986) told the story of a real-life favela-populist UDN politician famous for walking around extravagantly, as they say in Brooklyn and Chicago, strapped.
Deputado estadual suspeito de ligação com milícias é preso no Rio: Natalino Guimarães, alleged ringleader of the “Justice League” paramilitary organization and known for his use of the Batman symbol in his campaign literature, was arrested again last evening on charges related to all sorts of heinous misdeeds.
Including having a political rival, chief inspector Félix Tostes — decorated aide to the state police chief, reputed chief of the Rio das Pedras militia, and a fugitive from justice in an alleged scheme to put the fix in for the Rio gambling rackets — er, um, whacked out.
Police also charge Natalino with the terror bombing of the 35th Police Precinct in Campo Grande, in the Western Zone, where the militias are said to have their strongholds in Carobinha, Barbante, and a third community whose name I missed. See
- “Militia Mount Terrorist Attack on Rio Police Precinct”
- Rio’s Batman: Joker, Not I, Threw Terror Bomb
- TV Globo: “NY Times Features Rio Precinct Bombing!”
- “Rio Lawmakers To Grill Accused Militiamen and Terrorist Bombers”
Gunfire, we are told, was exchanged. Things may be coming to a head. See also
RIO – Em um operação conjunta das Polícias Civil e Militar, o deputado estadual Natalino Guimarães (DEM) foi preso em flagrante, na noite de ontem, na casa dele, em Campo Grande, zona oeste do Rio de Janeiro.
A joint military and state judical police operation arrested state legislator Natalino Guimarães (ex-PFL) in flagrante at his home in Campo Grande in the Western Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Segundo a polícia, o deputado estava reunido com várias pessoas que seriam integrantes de um grupo paramilitar que controla favelas na cidade, as chamadas milícias.
Police said Natalino was meeting with several alleged members of a paramilitary group that controls shantytowns in the city — the so-called “militias.”
Na chegada dos policiais, houve troca de tiros. Também foram presas outras cinco pessoas: dois policiais militares, um agente penitenciário e um segurança do parlamentar.
Gunfire was exchanged as police arrived. Also arrested were two military policemen, a prison guard and the legislator’s private security guard
De acordo com polícia, eles responderão pelos crimes de porte ilegal de armas, tentativa de homicídio, favorecimento pessoal e formação de quadrilha armada. Na operação, foram apreendidas várias armas, entre elas um fuzil AR-15 e duas escopetas, além de seis carros.
Police say the men will be charged with weapon violations, attempted homicide, “personal favoritism” [?], and conspiracy to constitute an armed gang. During the operation, a number of weapons were seized, including an AR-15 assault rifle and two shotguns, along with six cars.
The AR-15 is the Rolls Royce of assault weapons, one hears. Tens of thousands of local bucks apiece.
Filed under: Brazil, Organized Crime, Politics | Tagged: milicia, militia, militias, paramilitaries, paramilitarism, rio de janeiro
