Balsas councilman arrested for suspected murder plot in Piauí

Hélio Sousa Neto, a city councilman from Balsas, Maranhão, and his parliamentary advisor, Raimundo Nonato Lira de Sousa, have been placed under preventive detention. They are suspected of planning the murder of Luís Carlos do Nascimento, which occurred in October 2025 in Santa Filomena, Piauí.

Investigators from the Civil Police of Piauí suggest the killing was motivated by revenge for the 2024 death of Antônio Sousa Neto, the councilman’s brother. The victim, Luís Carlos, had previously been arrested in connection with the brother's death but was awaiting trial at the time of his assassination.

Police reports indicate that the vehicle used in the crime was rented from a rental agency in Balsas and was linked to the councilman. While Sousa Neto had been temporarily detained in February and denied involvement, new evidence led authorities to request the conversion of his status to preventive detention.