Police officers accused of killing a young man in Rio.
Five military police officers from the UPP (Pacifying Police Unit) of Manguinhos, in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, have been indicted for the death of 18-year-old Paulo Roberto Pinho Menezes, which occurred in October. According to the investigation, the medical report indicated that the young man's death was due to mechanical asphyxiation. The police officers denied responsibility for the incident.
Rio 247 – Five military police officers from the Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) of Manguinhos, North Zone of Rio, were indicted, this Thursday (28), for the death of Paulo Roberto Pinho Menezes, 18 years old, which occurred in October. The head of the 21st Police Station (Bonsucesso), José Pedro da Costa, said the medical report indicated that the young man's death was due to mechanical asphyxiation. The police officers denied responsibility for what happened.
The autopsy report indicated that no trace of drugs was found in the young man's body, ruling out the possibility of death due to drug use, which contradicts the accounts of the military police officers. The Brazilian Bar Association, Rio de Janeiro section (OAB-RJ), also stated that the number of military police officers involved in the case could reach 15. According to the investigations, Paulo's family reported that they were threatened by the military police officers.
Furthermore, during a protest held in the community against the young man's death, a 17-year-old girl was shot. Following the incident, the commander of the Manguinhos UPP (Pacifying Police Unit), Captain Gabriel Toledo, said he would investigate the police officers who used firearms during the demonstration.
In a statement, the Rio de Janeiro UPP (Pacifying Police Unit) coordination office reported that the police officers involved have been suspended from the force since the day of the young man's death and also stated that an investigation is underway, ordered by the Pacifying Police Coordinator, Colonel Frederico Caldas.