Rio Police Indict 13 People for Lynching of Cyclist in Copacabana

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro have indicted 13 people in connection with the death of Cláudio Rafael Landeiro Moreira, a 37 year old cyclist who was lynched in Copacabana on August 12. The investigation concluded that Moreira was falsely accused of stealing a bicycle, which actually belonged to his sister, and was subsequently surrounded and beaten for between six and nine minutes. The victim died from severe traumatic brain injury, internal hemorrhaging, and trauma to the spleen and kidneys. According to his family, Moreira had cognitive impairment and did not react to the attacks.

Five individuals have been indicted for triply qualified homicide. These include two security guards, two app delivery drivers, and a fifth suspect who remains at large. Police reports indicate that one suspect delivered over 30 blows with a piece of wood, while the fugitive suspect allegedly kicked the victim in the head and stated that thieves deserve to die. Four of the homicide suspects are currently in custody. Other indictments include one person for failure to render aid and one woman for bodily injury after she allegedly handled the weapon used in the crime.

Additionally, six people were indicted for the illegal exercise of a profession. Investigators discovered a clandestine security structure operating in the Copacabana region and are currently investigating whether local merchants were financing this irregular private security scheme. The case has been forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office to determine if formal charges will be filed in court.