Marielle Franco: Brothers Convicted in Landmark Brazilian Murder Case

Published: 26 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Two influential Brazilian politician brothers have been convicted in a landmark trial for ordering the murder of Marielle Franco, the Rio de Janeiro city councillor, nearly eight years ago. The supreme court’s decision has drawn international attention, reflecting on both the persistence of political corruption and the ongoing struggle for justice in Brazil. João Francisco Inácio Brazão, a former congressman known as Chiquinho, and Domingos Inácio Brazão, a former adviser to Rio’s court of auditors, were each sentenced to 76 years and three months in prison for orchestrating the killings of Franco, 38, and her driver, Anderson Gomes, 39.

Marielle Franco was a rising political star whose advocacy for marginalized communities and opposition to police violence made her a target of powerful interests. Her assassination on 14 March 2018 sent shockwaves through Brazil and internationally, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights organisations, governments, and civil society. The murder represented not only a personal tragedy but also a stark warning about the dangers faced by those challenging entrenched political and criminal networks.

The court’s ruling was unanimous, with justices also convicting the Brazão brothers of the attempted murder of Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s press officer, who was in the car during the attack and survived. The trial highlighted the complex interplay between politics, organized crime, and law enforcement in Rio, illustrating how deeply criminal influence has penetrated public institutions. Human rights advocates have described the conviction as a pivotal moment in confronting systemic corruption and the culture of impunity that has long undermined justice in Brazil.

Franco’s sister, Anielle Franco, expressed her relief and vindication on social media, emphasising the arduous journey to uncover the truth. She stated that eight years of struggle had finally led to a measure of justice for her sister and Anderson Gomes. Anielle Franco, who serves as Brazil’s Minister for Racial Equality under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, called the convictions a historic step in confronting political violence motivated by gender and race, asserting that impunity should not exist within democratic governance.

Justice Cármen Lúcia, announcing her vote, described the proceedings as deeply painful, noting the limited power of human justice to alleviate the grief experienced by the families. She remarked that the trial was a restrained expression of what the law could offer to those directly affected by the atrocity, underscoring the profound emotional impact of the case. The court proceedings were attended by relatives of Franco and Gomes, who witnessed the outcome after nearly a decade of legal struggle.

The investigation itself was fraught with challenges, including the deliberate destruction of evidence, frequent changes in lead investigators, and revelations of active obstruction by law enforcement officials. Rivaldo Barbosa, the former head of Rio’s homicide division, was found guilty of obstruction of justice and corruption, having received bribes from the Brazão brothers, though he was not convicted of murder due to insufficient evidence of direct involvement. These revelations shed light on the deep-rooted interference that delayed accountability and complicated the path to justice.

The case was tried in Brazil’s supreme court because Chiquinho was a sitting congressman when his role in the crime emerged, ensuring the legal authority to prosecute at the highest level. The convictions follow over a year after two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz, who executed the killings, received long prison sentences in Rio. Lessa, who fired the fatal shots, and de Queiroz, who drove the getaway car, had their sentences reduced after confessing and cooperating with investigators, but their testimony was crucial in establishing the Brazão brothers’ responsibility.

Lessa’s confession detailed that the Brazão brothers, historically linked to paramilitary militias, had commissioned the killing after becoming frustrated with Franco’s efforts to disrupt lucrative housing and development schemes. Justice Alexandre de Moraes highlighted that Franco’s opposition to illegal real estate projects represented a substantial threat to the brothers’ economic and political interests. The conviction underscores the risks faced by politicians and activists confronting entrenched criminal enterprises and predatory economic practices in Brazil.

The militias associated with the Brazão brothers profited extensively from illegal land occupation, often targeting environmentally protected areas, and subsequently developing properties or providing unauthorised services such as electricity and internet. Marielle Franco, as a city councillor, actively warned residents about these illegal operations and advocated for housing rights, positioning herself as a formidable obstacle to the militia’s ambitions. Justice de Moraes emphasised that the killing was a deliberate act to silence a Black, poor woman challenging the interests of powerful criminal actors, reflecting the intersection of misogyny, racial prejudice, and political violence.

The defence for the Brazão brothers centred on attempting to discredit Lessa’s testimony, arguing that no other evidence directly implicated them in the crime. However, the justices unanimously determined that the evidence, including financial records, witness accounts, and prior criminal involvement, overwhelmingly corroborated the brothers’ role in ordering the assassination. The court also convicted two former police officers, Ronald Paulo de Alves Pereira and Robson Calixto Fonseca, for their contributions to the crime, including monitoring Franco and delivering the murder weapon, demonstrating the broad network of complicity in the attack.

Amnesty International’s executive director in Brazil, Jurema Werneck, hailed the convictions as a critical milestone in the country’s pursuit of justice. She underscored that the ruling affirms the importance of protecting human rights defenders, stressing that activism should never carry a death sentence. Werneck added that the decision could serve as a turning point in the ongoing fight against impunity in Brazil, helping prevent the recurrence of politically motivated killings and reinforcing the rule of law.

The Brazão brothers’ sentencing represents a rare moment of accountability within a system often hampered by corruption, intimidation, and the intertwining of criminal networks with political power. The trial reflects both the resilience of investigative and judicial institutions and the tireless efforts of activists and families who pursued justice over nearly a decade. As Brazil continues to confront the legacies of political violence, the case has become emblematic of the struggle for equitable and transparent governance in the face of entrenched systemic challenges.

Marielle Franco’s legacy endures as a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice, inspiring activists and citizens to demand greater accountability from public officials. Her assassination, once a source of national outrage and international scrutiny, now serves as a touchstone for meaningful legal and societal reform. The convictions underscore the potential for legal systems to challenge powerful interests, even in contexts marked by pervasive corruption and organized criminal influence.

The case also sends a stark message regarding the intersection of gender, race, and politics in Brazil, highlighting the risks faced by women and minorities who confront entrenched criminal and political interests. Scholars and civil society leaders argue that the trial could catalyse structural reforms, encouraging greater oversight, transparency, and protection for vulnerable public figures. The outcome is expected to influence both policy development and public awareness, reinforcing the imperative of safeguarding human rights defenders.

As Brazil reflects on this landmark judgment, the convictions of the Brazão brothers mark a definitive, if long-delayed, triumph for justice. The ruling serves not only to honour Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes but also to demonstrate that accountability remains possible even amid complex and powerful networks of influence. This chapter in Brazil’s history may well shape the ongoing fight against impunity, offering hope that justice can prevail against formidable odds, and providing a lasting reminder of the importance of courage, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to human rights.

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