Court Frees Bahia Painter After Misidentification as Police Arrest 4th Suspect in Businessman’s Killing

Overview

• Fernando Silva Santos spent 18 days jailed in Feira de Santana after cameras flagged him on a preventive warrant later shown to target another man.
• A 2015 forensic report from the state identification institute identified the true detainee as Raimundo Barros dos Santos, not Fernando.
• The 15th Criminal Court of Salvador recognized the mistake, ordered release on October 31, and the order was carried out on November 3 at the Sobradinho complex.
• Fernando’s lawyer says the family will seek reparations for the wrongful detention.
• In a separate case, Bahia Civil Police arrested a fourth suspect on November 14 in the February kidnapping‑robbery‑homicide of businessman Iranilson Fiuza, seizing a firearm and drugs, and also detained a convicted fugitive during Operation Escudos das Marias after a domestic‑violence complaint.