Trial Begins for Those Accused in Rio Councilwoman’s Murder

The highest court in Brazil has opened a courtroom session to hear the case of people charged with killing a city councilwoman and her driver in 2018. A panel of five judges will decide on the fates of former congressman Chiquinho Brazão, his brother Domingos who once served on a city watchdog, their aide Robson Calixto Fonseca, police investigator Rivaldo Barbosa and ex‑police officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira. The victim was a Black, bisexual woman who had fought for the rights of poor communities; she was 38 when a gunman shot her and her driver in a drive‑by. Prosecutors say the main evidence comes from deals signed with former police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, who have already been handed long prison terms. The Brazão brothers were arrested in 2024 as the supposed planners of the attack, and investigators tied them to militia groups that had clashed with the councilwoman.The court will begin by summarizing the case, then a government lawyer may speak before defense teams present their arguments. A decision is expected by Wednesday morning, though the public will wait to see if justice truly addresses the deeper problem of organized crime. Experts warn that even a conviction could feel like a small win, because militia power is growing and the root causes of violence remain unbroken. International observers in Geneva urged that fairness and transparency guide this process, stressing the need for justice against systemic racism and violence in Brazil. The councilwoman’s sister, who serves as a minister for racial equality, said the trial is vital to strengthen democracy and keep fighting for all silenced voices.