Brazil police officers indicted in murder of Rio councilwoman

Saturday, 16 March 2019 11:15

Two former police officers in Brazil are set to face a criminal trial in the murder of a Rio de Janeiro councilwoman.

Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz were arrested days before the first anniversary of the deaths of Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes.

A judge has ordered a freeze on any assets held by the men.

Before she was killed, Franco was critical of Rio's police forced for their gang-busting operations in the city’s slums.

Both Lessa and de Queiroz's lawyers say their client did not commit the crimes.

More from International News

Four killed in Beirut hotel strike, Israel says it targeted Iranian commanders

At least four people were killed when an Israeli strike hit an apartment in the Ramada hotel building in central Beirut early on Sunday, with Israel saying it targeted Iranian commanders operating in the Lebanese capital.
Drone attacks cause major fire at Kuwait International Airport

Two fuel depots at Kuwait International Airport came under a drone attack on Saturday night, causing a large fire at one of the facilities.
Israel warns Lebanon of 'heavy price' as week's death toll nears 300

Israel has warned Lebanon of a "very heavy price" if it did not rein in Hezbollah on Saturday, as it pounded the group's strongholds around the country with air strikes and mounted a deadly airborne raid in the east.
Trump rejects settling war with Iran

US President Donald Trump on Saturday has raised the possibility of the war against Iran ending only once that country no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power.