🔗 Share this article

Bruno Itan

A reporter who observed the consequences of an extensive law enforcement action in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how residents came back with mutilated bodies of those who had died.

The bodies "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", the photographer described. The total contained security forces.

A particular victim was discovered headless - while others appeared "totally disfigured", he reported. Several bodies showed evidence of stab wounds.

More than 120 people were killed during the security action targeting an illegal organization - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

The photographer reported that he initially learned about the operation early on Tuesday by community members of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him informing him an armed confrontation was occurring.

The eyewitness traveled to a local medical facility, where the victims were coming in.

The photographer stated that security forces blocked media personnel from accessing the Penha neighborhood, where the security measures were taking place.

"Police officers formed a line and announced: 'Media representatives cannot proceed beyond this point'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in that neighborhood, reported he succeeded to gain access past the security perimeter, where he remained until the next morning.

He explained that evening, community members commenced searching the elevated terrain which divides the Penha neighborhood from the neighboring Alemão community for loved ones who had been missing since the police raid.

Residents from the Penha area organized the recovered bodies in an open area - the photographer's images reveal the emotions of those present.

"The harsh reality of what occurred affected me profoundly: the grief of the families, parents losing consciousness, pregnant wives, sobbing, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered.

Bruno Itan

The governor of Rio state declared that the large-scale security action with approximately 2,500 officers was aimed at halting an illegal organization known as Red Command from growing their influence.

Originally, state authorities maintained that sixty alleged criminals and four police officers" lost their lives during the action.

Officials subsequently stated that initial estimates suggests that 117 alleged criminals lost their lives.

The public legal service, which provides legal assistance to the poor, has calculated the final tally of casualties as 132.

According to researchers, Red Command represents the unique criminal entity that recently has been able to expand its territory throughout Rio state.

It is generally regarded among the biggest criminal organizations in Brazil, together with a rival criminal group, with a background dating back more than 50 years.

According to reporter a specialist, who has long reported on criminal activity in the city extensively, Red Command "operates like a franchise" with neighborhood bosses forming part of the gang and becoming "operational allies".

The criminal group engages primarily in narcotics distribution, but also smuggles weapons, valuable minerals, energy resources, liquor smoking products.

Per law enforcement statements, criminal affiliates have substantial firearms and authorities stated that while the action was underway, they encountered resistance using drone-delivered explosives.

The governor of the region, the political leader, described organization participants as "narcoterrorists" and called the law enforcement personnel fatally injured in the action as courageous individuals.

However, the count of casualties in the operation has faced scrutiny with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating they were "appalled".

At a news conference on Wednesday, the state leader defended the police force.

"It wasn't our intention to result in deaths. We aimed to arrest them all alive," he said.

He continued that the situation had escalated due to the alleged criminals resisted aggressively: "It occurred of the counterattack they executed and the overwhelming response from the gang members."

The official additionally stated that the casualties presented by community members in the neighborhood had been "tampered with".

In a post through digital channels, he asserted that some of them had been taken of military-style attire which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility to security forces".

A law enforcement representative from the police department additionally stated that tactical gear, body armor, and arms" were taken away from the casualties and presented video seemingly depicting an individual cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse