In three years, 17 people died as a result of 'vigilante justice' in Alagoas, says the Brazilian Bar Association.

Alagoas 247 - Rosenildo Gomes dos Santos, 33, known as "Prego", is the name of the man who was identified as "the rapist of a teenager", and subsequently judged and murdered by stoning and beatings in a court formed by residents of Vila Emater, in the Jacarecica neighborhood, in Maceió. The case, which occurred this Thursday (8), is the most recent recorded in the state, but over the last three years, 17 people identified as suspects of offenses and crimes have been murdered in this way, out of a total of 109 cases of beatings, according to the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/AL).

According to the president of the Human Rights Commission of the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) Alagoas chapter, Ricardo Moraes, the numbers collected and compiled by the organization are alarming. The lawyer reminded that, despite society believing it is doing "justice," the act of vigilante justice is a crime and those responsible can be arrested and held accountable by the Judiciary. Moraes emphasized that, in some cases already seen in Alagoas and in Brazil, suspects end up being acquitted due to lack of evidence or elements that prove guilt. 

"Generally speaking, the population needs to clearly understand that this act is a crime and a serious one. Often, the assaults and deaths of those accused by the population occur for reasons such as theft. In other situations, the action is due to serious crimes. Regardless, vigilante justice is illegal, and the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) has been monitoring the cases. We have registered situations in the periphery, as well as in affluent areas. It is something that happens throughout the country and does not choose a social class," argued the president of the organization. 

According to a survey by the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), in 2014 there were 38 registered cases of beatings, resulting in eight deaths. In 2015, there were 36 assaults, with three suspects dying. In 2016, there were 35 cases, resulting in death in six of them. In 2017, there were two assaults and at least one confirmed death. This year's data is still being collected by the regional branch. 

The coordinator of the homicide division in Maceió, Detective Fábio Costa, assured that, should the police investigation determine that the suspect's death was a case of vigilante justice, the Civil Police teams will work to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. "In these cases, people are arrested and indicted for homicide," explained the detective. For the investigation to proceed, agents need witnesses, images, and other evidence to support the vigilante justice theory.  

With gazetaweb.com