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Varginha police acquitted in 'novo cangaço' operation deaths
A Federal Court has summarily acquitted six police officers—four from the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and two from the Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG)—involved in a 2021 operation against organized crime in Varginha, Minas Gerais.
Judge Élcio Arruda ruled that the officers acted in legitimate defense during the operation, which targeted groups associated with the ‘novo cangaço’ style of crime. The court found that the evidence did not support the prosecution's claim that the officers executed suspects who were already surrendered or incapacitated. In his ruling, the judge described the officers' actions as courageous and necessary for public security, stating they were not villains but heroes responding to highly experienced criminals.
The decision concludes the first-instance criminal action initiated by the Federal Public Ministry regarding the deaths that occurred during the October 2021 crackdown.
Entities
Ministério Público Federal · Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais · Polícia Rodoviária Federal · Rogerio Schietti Cruz · Superior Tribunal de Justiça · Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais · Varginha · Élcio Arruda