São Paulo Military Police Suspends Acquitted Lieutenant in Leandro Lo Case

Overview

• The Military Police’s Justification Council published on Dec. 1 a unanimous order that keeps Henrique Velozo off duty, bars him from wearing the uniform, prevents promotion and limits his pay to one-third of his R$14,6 thousand salary.
• Despite a court decision that reintegrated him on Nov. 18, the command says he will not return to normal activities until the judiciary issues a final decision.
• The state public security secretariat confirms he is administratively reintegrated and assigned to the 49th Battalion but will not take part in operations.
• A jury on Nov. 14 acquitted Velozo of killing jiu-jitsu champion Leandro Lo, accepting a self-defense claim after more than three years of pretrial detention.
• His attorney says Velozo will remain outside operational duty as he awaits the outcome and is evaluating steps for a future return to police service.