Arrests Made in Connection with Murder of Brazilian Councilwoman

Brazilian federal police have arrested congressman Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão, suspected of ordering the 2018 killing of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a prominent human rights activist. The shooter, disgraced former police officer Ronnie Lessa, signed a plea bargain deal, leading to the recent arrests. The case had been troubled for years, with the lead detectives changed multiple times. Franco's murder shook Brazil profoundly and led to widespread outcry, as she had been a rising political star known for exposing police abuse and violence against residents of working-class neighborhoods.