|
|
| Prisoners Seize Hostages in Bloody Brazil Prison Uprising |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/12/2002 |
|
Rebelling prisoners in Brazil took eight people hostage at a maximum-security prison and attacked a rival gang, killing at least four inmates, authorities said. The rebellion began Wednesday morning at the Bangu I penitentiary on Rio's west side, when prisoners seized four officers and four employees of a construction company working in the prison, the state security bureau said. Late Wednesday, the prisoners released one officer and one construction worker, State Security Chief Roberto Aguiar said. Media reported that the uprising was led by drug kingpin Luiz Fernando da Costa, better known as Fernandinho Beira-Mar - 'Seaside Freddy' in Portuguese. Da Costa was captured last year in the jungles of Colombia, where he allegedly supplied Colombian rebels with weapons in return for cocaine that he sold in Brazil. Aguiar did not confirm the report, but the four inmates killed were members of a rival gang. Among them was Ernaldo Pinto de Medeiros, known as Ue, one of Brazil's most feared drug lords who was sentenced to nearly 300 years in prison for murder, drug trafficking and other crimes. Some 300 police riot troops surrounded the Bangu 1 wing. Rio de Janeiro State Gov. Benedita da Silva authorized police to storm the prison block, but officers barred the way and kept police at bay. Negotiators went inside to try to end the rebellion. The prisoners reportedly wanted to be transferred to other prisons, but da Silva said she would not meet any demands. She announced the firing of warden Ricardo Couto and the suspension of 12 officers suspected of facilitating the rebellion. Media said the prisoners had five guns and a homemade bomb made from a gas canister. It was not clear where they got the weapons. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
I like learning more about prison reforms from this great website that has housed excellent articles on the topic. If I want to learn more about these important topics I know to contact Hamilton Lindley about more of this information because I know that I’ll get a fair answer.