BFF-45 At least 14 killed in Rio security operations: officials

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BRAZIL-POLICE-CRIME LEAD

At least 14 killed in Rio security operations: officials

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Rio de Janeiro’s drug war hit a
bloody crescendo Monday when at least 14 people were reported killed in a
huge operation by soldiers in impoverished favelas and during a rush-hour
police car chase.

The military command heading security in Brazil’s second biggest city said
eight people died in the sweep of favelas “and there could be more.”

No details were given on how the people were killed or who they were.

The military command said 4,200 soldiers, backed by armored vehicles and
aircraft, entered the Penha neighborhood and the Alemao and Mare favela
complexes — poor, densely populated swaths of city in large part run by
heavily armed drug traffickers.

Only 70 police officers were said to be involved, suggesting a turnaround
from previous operations into the dangerous favelas where police have taken
the lead and soldiers provided backup.

According to the Rio police force, 948 pounds (430 kg) of drugs were seized
in the Mare, a far bigger amount than usual in such operations, which often
end with few concrete results.

– ‘Positive effects’ –

Troops removed roadblocks erected by drug gangs, followed up on tip offs
against suspected traffickers, and checked vehicles and residents, the
military said in a statement.

In addition, “troops distributed leaflets asking for cooperation from the
population,” it said.

The military said the incursion brought “positive effects” to some 550,000
residents.

However, human rights activists worried that the deaths and the
overwhelming role of soldiers, as opposed to police, signalled a concerning
development in Rio’s unending crime wars.

“We think this is very serious. If there is confirmation that the dead were
executed by officers of the armed forces, it would be a troubling change,”
said Silvia Ramos, from the Observatory of the Intervention, which monitors
the security forces in Rio.

“The armed forces cannot enter this logic of useless confrontations and
unacceptable killings that are the hallmark of the Rio police.”

– Rush-hour gunfight –

In a separate incident in the Rio suburb of Niteroi, six suspected armed
criminals were shot dead by police after a rush-hour car chase that briefly
caused traffic snarls near one of Rio’s main bridges.

Police said in a statement that “four died on the spot and two died in
hospital, and three were taken prisoner.” Four assault rifles, four pistols,
four grenades and seven radios were seized from two cars, police said.

A commuter bus carrying 38 people was caught in the crossfire during the
shootout and hit by 14 bullets, although just one passenger was lightly
injured, Globo news site reported.

Rio de Janeiro hosted the Olympics two years ago, winning widespread praise
for a smoothly run games. However, corruption, budget problems and spiralling
crime have cast a shadow over a city that has long veered between the
extremes of joyful carnivals or beach life and shocking violence.

Six months ago, Brazil’s military took over all security in Rio, following
the government’s decision that the local police are incapable of combatting
the well-armed drug gangs. While police still perform all their normal
duties, their top commanders are now military officers.

BSS/AFP/FI/ 2207 hrs