At least 18 people were killed Thursday during a police operation against organized crime in the Complexo do Alemao favela in Rio de Janeiro, civil police announced.
Of these 18 people killed, 16 are “suspected” of belonging to criminal gangs, another is a 50-year-old favela resident and another is a 38-year-old law enforcement officer, a police spokesman told a news conference. .
“Suspected” of belonging to criminal gangs
The Human Rights Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association said they had information on a total of 20 deaths, including the police officer and the woman.
About 400 members of the security forces carried out this operation, with several armored vehicles and four planes, in a gigantic favela to confront a gang specialized in the theft of vehicles that transport merchandise and funds.
Previously, the authorities had reported the death of five people in this district, a regular scene of deadly clashes between security forces and organized crime gangs, particularly in drug trafficking. Residents complained to local media about the police operation, during which houses were reportedly raided.
Source: BFM TV
