Maia Raises Alarm About Part of Anti-Crime Package in Wake of Young Agatha’s Death

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, commented this Sunday, September 22nd, on the death of 8-year-old Agatha Félix, who was shot by a police rifle while inside a van in the Complexo do Alemão favela in Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to offering solidarity to the victim’s relatives, he advocated a “very thorough and meticulous assessment” of the “exclusion of illegality” clause contained in the anti-crime package of Jair Bolsonaro’s government that mitigates the punishment of military and police who commit excesses.

“Any father and mother can imagine themselves in Agatha’s family’s place and know the extent of this pain. I express my solidarity with my family, knowing that there is no word to lessen such suffering,” Maia said on Twitter.

“That is why I advocate a very thorough and meticulous assessment of the exclusion of illegality that is under discussion in Parliament.”

The federal government’s proposal, put forward by Minister Sérgio Moro, proposes changing the Penal Code’s wording regarding the “exclusion of illegality,” allowing for police officers who act to prevent an alleged assault or risk of assault on hostages to be construed as acting in self-defense.

According to the current law, police officers must await a specific threat or the onset of a crime in order to act.

By 4 PM on Sunday, the death of the girl had not been addressed by the governor of Rio, Wilson Witzel, President Jair Bolsonaro, the Minister of Justice, Sérgio Moro, or the mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella.

Source: Terra