Brazil's Lower House Backs 'Domínio de Cidades' Heinous Crime, Sends Security Package to Senate

Overview

• The new offense targets armed gangs that block roads, besiege municipalities, and attack banks, public buildings or security forces using heavy weaponry or explosives.
• Convictions carry 18 to 30 years in prison and the offense is classified as heinous, restricting amnesty, pardons and sentence progression.
• Penalties can double when offenders use restricted-caliber guns or explosives, take hostages, destroy infrastructure, deploy drones or aid prison escapes.
• The package also criminalizes organized “arrastão” theft with sentences of six to 15 years, with harsher ranges when weapons are used or when deaths result.
• Lawmakers added a safeguard exempting bona fide political, social, labor or religious protests, and approved a companion bill raising penalties to up to 40 years for murders of state agents and related attacks.