Santa Catarina deputies debate honoring police involved in candidate assault

State deputies in Santa Catarina are criticizing a motion proposed by Deputy Sargento Lima (PL) to honor two military police officers involved in an incident in Jaraguá do Sul. The motion seeks an ‘applause for act of bravery’ for Corporals Rafaela Natália Branco and Clovis Kaue Weber.

The officers were involved in an intervention on September 12 where Fernanda Klitzke, a PT candidate for Senate, was reportedly knocked down, kicked, and struck by rubber bullets. Klitzke stated she was attempting to mediate a disturbance involving noise complaints when the aggression occurred. While Sargento Lima defended the officers, citing resistance and aggressive conduct from those involved, opposition lawmakers have labeled the tribute ‘absurd’ and filed counter-motions expressing dismay at the police conduct.

The Military Police General Inspectorate is currently investigating the circumstances of the incident and the use of force. The local Bar Association has also called for an investigation into potential excesses during the encounter.