Police officer Rafael Schult released amid extortion investigation

Civil police officer Rafael Juergen Schult has been released from temporary detention in São Paulo following a five-day period of imprisonment. Although the judiciary subsequently authorized a preventive arrest warrant, Schult remains at large. His legal counsel noted that under Brazilian electoral law, he cannot be arrested during the five days preceding the election or the two days following it, effectively providing him protection until October 6.

Schult is under investigation by the Civil Police Internal Affairs department for allegedly leading an armed group that operates as a militia. The group is accused of kidnapping and extorting merchants and criminals using at least two vehicles disguised as unmarked police cars. One specific investigation involves the kidnapping of a young man in the Artur Alvim district, who was allegedly assaulted and placed in a vehicle trunk; the victim remains missing.

Authorities suggest the group may be linked to the First Capital Command (PCC) and was involved in a cocaine negotiation valued at approximately R$ 1 million. Another officer, Milkton Massura Nakayama, remains in custody. During searches at Nakayama’s residence, police seized weapons with filed-off serial numbers, ammunition, and a vehicle equipped with sirens and lights similar to those used by official police units.