Trial Opens for Former Officers Accused in Marielle Franco's Murder

Six years after the assassination, the trial of two ex-policemen charged with killing Rio councilwoman Marielle Franco begins, spotlighting issues of crime and justice in Brazil.

• Marielle Franco, a Black, bisexual councilwoman from Rio, was killed in 2018, becoming a symbol of resistance against political and social injustice.
• Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, former police officers, are on trial for the murder, having confessed to their roles in the shooting.
• The trial is seen as a pivotal moment for justice in Brazil, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering to demand accountability.
• Federal investigations have implicated two politicians and a former police chief in ordering the murder, highlighting deep ties between politics and organized crime.
• Franco's assassination spurred widespread protests and elevated her legacy as a champion of human rights and social equality.

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