The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, in Costa Rica, held Brazil responsible this Thursday (14) for the deaths of 12 people in Operation Castelinho, by the Military Police (PM), which took place in 2002 in the interior of São Paulo.
In the decision, the Court argued that there was no exchange of fire “between police officers and the 12 people killed, since most of the evidence indicates that the alleged victims were not armed at the time of their death.”
Furthermore, he pointed out that there was a violation of judicial guarantees and the right to life, for example. “The Court concluded that the deprivation of the lives of the 12 people during “Operation Castelinho” resulted from an operation planned and carried out by state agents to extrajudicially execute those people.”
A series of other acts that culminated in the murders were analyzed, in addition to the initial investigation of the case, which was carried out by the PM itself and, therefore, “it was not possible to guarantee the necessary independence and impartiality”, according to the court.
After analysis, the Court determined several reparation measures. Among them, the creation of a working group to analyze police actions; offer medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment to family members and the payment of US$80,000 (R$398,000) to the families of each of the victims for moral damages and US$20,000 (around R$100,000) for damages material and immaterial.
Brazil must submit a report to the court on the measures adopted within one year.
A CNN contacted the Public Security Secretariat of the State of São Paulo and is awaiting a response. We also contacted the Brazilian government.
About the operation
As reported by the Court, three convicted people, who had been authorized by court order to temporarily leave prison, transmitted to the group of 12 people the false news that a plane carrying 28 million reais would land at Sorocaba airport and incited the robbery of the amount.
On March 5, 2002, the group left towards the airport, along Rodovia Castelo Branco, in four vehicles.
When the convoy bus arrived at the toll booth, the police stopped and, after surrounding the group, fired at the bus for approximately ten minutes, the court highlights.
Both those inside the bus and in the convoy's trucks died from gunshots.
Investigations and trials
The facts were the subject of investigation by the Civil Police and the Military Police of São Paulo. The PM's investigation was archived in January 2004.
In December 2003, the Public Prosecutor's Office filed a criminal complaint against 55 people, attributing twelve crimes of qualified homicide.
Years later, in November 2014, an acquittal sentence was promulgated, which does not establish a punitive function at the end of the process.
In February 2017, the São Paulo State Court of Justice confirmed the sentence, denying the Public Ministry's appeal.
*under the supervision of Tiago Tortella, from CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
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