The eyewitness
A reporter who witnessed the consequences of a large-scale security raid in the Brazilian city has reported how community members brought back mutilated bodies of those who had died.
The casualties "kept coming: the count kept increasing", the photographer stated. They included security forces.
A particular victim was found without a head - others were "completely mutilated", he said. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be stab wounds.
Over 120 individuals were killed during the security action against a criminal group - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.
The photographer explained that he was first alerted concerning the action Tuesday morning by local people of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him alerting him gunfire had erupted.
The eyewitness made his way to a local medical facility, where the victims were arriving.
Itan explained that law enforcement blocked media personnel from accessing the Penha neighborhood, where the security measures were taking place.
"Police officers created a barrier and announced: 'The press cannot proceed beyond this point'."
Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who was raised in the area, explained he succeeded to gain access past the security perimeter, where he continued until dawn.
He described that Tuesday night, area inhabitants commenced searching the hillside that borders Penha from the neighboring Alemão community for loved ones whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.
Community members of the Penha neighbourhood arranged the located casualties in a public space - the documented evidence reveal the reaction of the gathered crowd.
"The harsh reality of it all affected me a lot: the sorrow of loved ones, mothers fainting, expectant spouses, weeping, outraged parents," the eyewitness remembered.
The photographer
The governor of the region announced that the large-scale security action deploying about 2,500 law enforcement members was aimed at preventing a gang known as Red Command from increasing their control.
At first, the Rio state government claimed that "60 suspects along with four officers" were fatally injured in the operation.
They have since said that initial estimates shows that 117 alleged criminals were fatally injured.
Rio's public defender's office, that gives legal support to the poor, has estimated the overall count of people killed at 132.
According to researchers, Red Command represents the unique criminal entity that in the past few years has succeeded to expand its territory in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Experts commonly view one of the two largest gangs in the country, together with First Capital Command, with a background spanning over five decades.
According to Brazilian journalist an expert, with extensive experience documenting illegal operations in Rio for years, the gang "operates like a franchise" with area gang leaders forming part of the gang and serving as "business partners".
The organization concentrates largely on illegal drug trade, but also smuggles firearms, gold, fuel, alcohol smoking products.
Per law enforcement statements, criminal affiliates possess significant weaponry and authorities stated that throughout the operation, they came under attack using drone-delivered explosives.
The state leader of Rio state, Cláudio Castro, characterized gang affiliates as drug terrorists and called the law enforcement personnel killed in the raid as "heroes".
However, the count of fatalities during the raid has received condemnation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing they felt "horrified".
At a news conference the next day, Governor Castro defended the police force.
"It wasn't our intention to result in deaths. We aimed to take suspects into custody without harm," he stated.
He continued that the events worsened due to the alleged criminals resisted aggressively: "It was a consequence of the resistance they carried out and the overwhelming response by the illegal group."
The state leader further reported that the bodies presented by community members in the area had been "manipulated".
Through a message through digital channels, he claimed that certain victims had been removed of military-style attire which he claimed they wore "to transfer accusation to security forces".
Felipe Curi representing security forces also said that military attire, body armor, and arms" were stripped from the victims and showed footage apparently demonstrating a man stripping military attire {off a corpse
Elara is a passionate writer and photographer who shares insights on creativity and mindful living through engaging storytelling.
