Moraes Halts Rio Inquiries Into Body Removals, Orders Evidence Safeguards in Favela Operation

Overview

• Supreme Court minister Alexandre de Moraes suspended Civil Police probes targeting those who removed bodies after the Contenção megaoperation in Rio de Janeiro.
• He ordered the state to deliver autopsy reports and forensic records, preserve all police body‑camera footage, and submit intelligence reports that justified the operation.
• The delegate leading the 22nd Police Station inquiry must provide detailed information to the court within 48 hours.
• Moraes stayed a CNMP decision that had constrained Federal Prosecution Service requests and demanded an explanation from the councilor who issued it.
• As context, the Oct. 28 operation in the Alemão and Penha complexes targeted the Comando Vermelho and has an official toll of 121 dead, including four police officers, after residents retrieved and publicly displayed dozens of bodies.