Santos fans arrested for fighting with Corinthians fans in June.

Elaine Patricia Cruz – Reporter for Agência Brasil

Nine Santos Futebol Clube fans were arrested today (26), in Operation Aquarius, for having participated in a fight against Corinthians fans at the Penha Metro station, in the east zone of the capital of São Paulo, on June 1st. According to the Public Security Secretariat, those arrested are part of the Torcida Jovem do Santos. One of those arrested is the president of the fan group, Denis de Almeida.

The operation was named after the club's nickname, "fish." According to the police, the name Aquarius stems from the fact that "several fish were caught" in today's operation.

"Even with the determination by the Justice system and the Public Security Secretariat that games in São Paulo should have only one team's supporters present, a fight occurred on June 1st at the Penha Metro station, involving the Santos' Young supporters and Corinthians fans," stated Margareth Barreto, from the Racial Crimes and Intolerance Offenses Police Station (Decradi). "The state can no longer tolerate this kind of thing. We really need to curb this type of practice," she said.

No Corinthians fans have been arrested. "So far, no Corinthians fans have been identified, because fan groups don't usually contact the police to investigate these crimes," he added.

The arrested fans were identified through security footage provided to the police by the Metro. They were indicted for inciting and rioting, bodily harm, and robbery, since a Corinthians fan's shirt was taken during the confrontation. "During the incident, they stole objects, which became trophies in the hands of the fans. Shirts belonging to Corinthians fans were stolen, so they are also being investigated for robbery," said the police chief. They are expected to remain in custody for five days at the 77th Police District.

According to the police chief, what drew attention to the operation was the fact that a woman participated in the fight. The woman, whose name was not released, was arrested today during the operation. "We know of the participation of women, mainly in driving cars to disrupt the transport of materials such as combat equipment, but we had never seen them at the crime scene. These images [from the subway] captured a woman at the crime scene," she emphasized.

In addition to the arrests, the police also executed nine search and seizure warrants. "Fan paraphernalia was seized, but the stolen jersey was not located," said the police chief.

Agência Brasil attempted to contact the Santos fan group, Jovem, but has not been successful so far.