Government can send over a thousand agents to RN; suspect in the attacks was arrested in PB

The Minister of Justice, Flávio Dino, said on Sunday night (19) that the government could send another 1,000 National Force agents to Rio Grande do Norte to contain the wave of criminal attacks, which began a week ago. At least 135 people have already been arrested until the early hours of this Monday (20), among them a suspect of killing a criminal police officer in Natal.

According to Dino, the state already has “approximately 700 police officers from various forces” working to combat attacks, with an expenditure that already exceeds R$ 5.3 million from the federal government.

“We are here to say that this support has no limit, the limit is given by the need. If there is, which we do not believe, an additional need, these 700 could become 1,000, 1,200, 1,700, as many Rio Grande do Norte needs”, he said.

Still according to the minister, the state should also receive additional resources for the purchase of “more vehicles, more weapons and so that we have a restructuring of the penitentiary system with investments in physical structure, including reforms in the penitentiary system that exists today, and also the construction of new units”. The amount to be transferred to the state should be announced this Monday (20).

“The work has had an effect and occurrences have decreased. This is the fruit of the selfless work of the local and national security forces”, said governor Fátima Bezerra (PT), shortly after the meeting with the minister.

The state capital woke up with part of public transport suspended due to the attacks. CBTU, which operates the metropolitan train system, reported that operations remain temporarily suspended. One station burned down over the weekend.

Leader of attacks arrested in Paraíba

Also on Sunday (19), a 23-year-old man, suspected of involvement with the recent attacks in Rio Grande do Norte, was arrested in the city of Campina Grande, in Paraíba. He is appointed by the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Norte (PCRN) as one of the leaders of a criminal faction.

According to the police, Erivanaldo da Silva Sales is responsible for ordering attacks in the municipality and region of Seridó. With the suspect, Molotov cocktails, drugs, precision scales and other items were found. He was considered a fugitive, had an open arrest warrant and an extensive criminal record.

The actions of the Civil Police are part of the task force of the Public Security System of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, with the objective of containing attacks from criminal organizations that operate in the state.

In addition to the arrests in Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba, the police have already seized 38 firearms, 106 explosive devices, 28 gallons of fuel, among others.

Intervention by the Armed Forces

Last Friday (17), the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), sent to the Planalto Palace a request from Senator Styverson Valentim (Podemos-RN) for the intervention of the Armed Forces in Rio Grande do Norte.

“I recognize the remarkable commitment of the state and national security forces at this moment, to which the Armed Forces can be added, at the discretion of the President of the Republic. The important thing is to guarantee peace in the State as quickly as possible”, said Pacheco in the request forwarded to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Also on Friday (17), the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) requested updated information on the state’s prison system to assess the situation of detainees in potiguar prisons in the last three years. According to the document sent to the National Mechanism for the Prevention and Combat of Torture (MNPCT), the prosecution requests access to the latest inspection report carried out by the body, which points to serious violations in the penitentiary system.

According to the MPF, “it is necessary to deepen the analysis of the direct motivations of the attacks, including the investigation of the relationship with possible restrictions on the rights of those in custody”, said the prosecution in a statement.

The Chamber of External Control of Police Activity and Prison System is in contact with prosecutors who work in the state to enable the institution’s integrated and effective action, “aiming at the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the preservation of the human dignity of people deprived of their liberty” .