Brazilian police officers involved in separate investigations

In Salvador, Bahia, a Military Police soldier, Valdilene Nonato Santos França, has been released from preventive detention following the expiration of a 60-day investigation period. She is accused of the death of merchant Leonardo Gil Lima, known as ‘Léo Lanches,’ who was shot in the head during a police operation on July 23. While she will face the legal process in freedom, the court imposed strict precautionary measures, including a 180-day suspension from public duties, a prohibition on contacting witnesses or family members, and restrictions on visiting the Lessa Ribeiro neighborhood.

In São Paulo, Lieutenant Colonel Geraldo Leite Rosa Neto has denied allegations of femicide during an eight-hour interrogation. Neto is accused of shooting his former partner, soldier Gisele Alves Santana, in their apartment on February 18. Although Neto maintains the death was a suicide, three forensic reports have contested this claim, with the most recent stating it would be impossible for the victim to have shot herself in the head. Forensic evidence indicates the fatal shot was fired from Neto’s service weapon.