São Paulo police officer expelled following torture conviction

José Camilo Leonel, a former civil police investigator in São Paulo, has been expelled from the force. The dismissal, signed by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, also includes the revocation of his retirement benefits.

The decision follows a 2016 conviction for the torture of Navid Rasolifard Saysan, an Iranian merchant. The incident occurred at a carpet shop in the Jardins neighborhood after a dispute regarding a refund for a Persian rug. According to court findings, Leonel entered the establishment and physically assaulted Saysan with punches, kicks, and threats involving a firearm.

Leonel had previously been sentenced to over 11 years in prison. The court determined that the merchant's alleged resistance was actually a reaction to the physical assaults and that Leonel had falsely reported crimes to justify his actions.