The Army opened an administrative investigation against around 20 soldiers who may have facilitated or failed to commit the theft of 21 machine guns from the Barueri general headquarters, in the interior of São Paulo.
The case is also the subject of a Military Police Inquiry and is being monitored by the Federal Police.
According to the Army, those involved can be punished for omission, if they failed to check the weapons; or by facilitation, if they have allowed unauthorized people to enter restricted areas.
According to the Southeast Military Command, Arsenal de Guerra is reviewing the processes and determining responsibility.
An administrative procedure does not directly link the soldier to the crime. However, the result of this investigation can inform the criminal investigation.
This Wednesday, military personnel whose role was to monitor and control access to weapons received a Military Transgression Investigation Form to explain their role in the process. They have three days to respond. After that, the Army has another eight days to complete the investigation.
According to the Chief of Staff of the Southeast Military Command, Brigadier General Maurício Vieira Gama, there is still no confirmation of suspects in the criminal area.
“The investigation has raised signs and as soon as they are confirmed they will be released immediately. Parallel to the investigation, procedural errors are being raised, which will be held accountable at the disciplinary and administrative level,” he told CNN . “It is our absolute priority to clarify this case,” said General Maurício.
Since last week, the Army has been investigating the disappearance of 21 machine guns from its war arsenal. The absence of armament included 13 .50 caliber machine guns and eight 7.62 mm caliber machine guns. “The investigation into the case is ongoing and is under secrecy,” the CMSE said in a statement.
The Army reported on Tuesday (17) that the Southeast Military Command went from a state of readiness to standby. As a result, the number of soldiers “quartered” decreased to 160, around a third of the number.
The term “quartered” means that members are held in the barracks, but not necessarily imprisoned, and cannot leave until they are released.
VIDEO: Police investigate the theft of 21 Army machine guns
Source: CNN Brasil
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