Broers Brazão veroordeeld voor moord op mensenrechtendebateur Marielle Franco
Rio de Janeiro, donderdag, 26 februari 2026.
Het Braziliaanse Hooggerechtshof heeft de broers Domingos en João Francisco Inácio Brazão veroordeeld tot 76 jaar cel voor de moord op mensenrechtendebateur Marielle Franco. Franco, een invloedrijke zwarte lesbische gemeenteraadsvrouw uit Rio de Janeiro, stierf in 2018 toen haar auto onder vuur werd genomen. Haar dood werd een symbool van politiek geweld tegen activisten en minderheden. Rechter Alexandre de Moraes verklaarde dat de moord bedoeld was om haar het zwijgen op te leggen vanwege haar kritiek op corruptie en milities. Ook twee voormalige politiemensen zijn veroordeeld. De zaak duurde acht jaar en blokkeerde jarenlang gerechtelijke vooruitgang. Familievictims spreken van een historische dag voor de democratie.
brazil condemns brazão brothers for marielle franco assassination
In a landmark verdict, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) convicted Domingos and João Francisco Inácio Brazão on February 25, 2026, sentencing each to 76 years and three months in prison for orchestrating the 2018 assassination of Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes [1]. The unanimous ruling by the STF’s First Chamber marks a pivotal moment in a case that galvanized global attention and protests under the slogan “Who killed Marielle?” [2][3]. Both men were also fined 200 days of minimum wage [4].
motives tied to political and criminal interests
The court determined that Franco’s opposition to illegal land development projects controlled by the Brazão brothers served as the central motive for her murder [4]. As a vocal critic of police violence and militia groups, Franco posed a threat to their illicit real estate ventures in Rio’s marginalized communities [1][3]. Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated the killing aimed to silence dissent against corruption and armed factions composed of former officers [1]. The brothers denied involvement despite overwhelming judicial findings [4].
additional convictions expose institutional complicity
Alongside the Brazão brothers, three others were convicted in the same proceeding [4]. Former police commissioner Rivaldo Barbosa received an 18-year sentence for obstructing justice and passive corruption related to tampering with the initial investigation [1][4]. Police officer Ronald Paulo de Alves was sentenced to 56 years for carrying out the double homicide, while Robson Calixto Fonseca, a former aide, received nine years for participation in organized crime [4]. These rulings confirm a coordinated network spanning politics and law enforcement [3].
eight-year battle for accountability ends in partial closure
The convictions conclude an eight-year legal struggle marked by investigative sabotage and institutional resistance [1][4]. Early efforts stalled significantly under the leadership of homicide division chief Rivaldo Barbosa, who manipulated the probe before his own indictment [1][3]. The breakthrough came in 2024 through cooperation agreements with perpetrators Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz, whose testimonies revealed operational details and command structures [1][4]. Despite delays, the judgment is seen as a symbolic victory against entrenched impunity [2].
families hail verdict as historical turning point
Family members of the victims welcomed the verdict as a crucial step toward justice [1]. Anielle Franco, sister of Marielle and Brazil’s Minister for Racial Equality, described the outcome as a historic shift in confronting gender- and race-based political violence [1][3]. Jurema Werneck of Amnesty International Brazil called it a fundamental milestone affirming the right to defend human rights without fear of death [3]. Monica Benício, Franco’s widow, emphasized the importance of remembering her legacy beyond the tragedy [2].
financial penalties and political consequences imposed
Beyond incarceration, the tribunal ordered financial reparations totaling 7 million Brazilian reais (approximately USD 1.3 million at 2018 exchange rates) [4]. Of this sum, 3 million reais were allocated to each victim’s immediate family, and 1 million reais awarded to Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s press secretary who survived an associated attempted murder [4]. Additionally, all convicts lost public office privileges and face political disqualification for eight years following sentence completion [4]. Assets may be seized to satisfy these obligations [1].