The Human Rights and Citizenship Defense Commission of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) has formally notified the state government and the Military Police regarding the incident in which Arthur Cortines Laxe Ferreira da Conceição, an 18-year-old Vasco fan, lost vision in his right eye after being struck by a rubber bullet while leaving the classic match against Flamengo on May 3 at Maracanã.
The official letter demands camera footage and identification of the involved officer.
UOL obtained the letter, signed by state deputy Dani Monteiro (PSOL), who chairs the commission. It was specifically addressed to the Military Justice Prosecutor’s Office in Rio de Janeiro, the Mounted Police Regiment, the State Secretariat of Military Police and General Command, and the State Secretariat of Public Security.
The document states that Arthur’s mother reported a lack of immediate police assistance at the time of the injury and expressed concerns that the damage could affect his other eye. It also says that, according to Christiane, the Civil Police did not reach out to the family for the investigation.
The letter seeks explanations regarding the Military Police’s procedures during the incident and the status of any potential investigation. It also demands the release of footage from officers’ body cameras if they were in use. In total, 13 questions were submitted.
Here are the 13 questions sent by the commission to the public agencies:
1. What operational protocol was followed by Military Police teams around the stadium at the time of the incident?
2. Was there a specific order to use less-lethal weapons like rubber bullets? If so, who authorized it?
3. What criteria were used for firing such weapons in an area with high civilian presence?
4. Does the force recognize that using rubber bullets on the face and eyes violates international human rights protocols?
5. Was there recent specific training for the involved agents on the progressive use of force?
6. Were the officers who fired shots using body cameras? If yes, preservation and immediate release of the footage is required.
7. Why, according to family reports, was there no immediate medical assistance provided to the young man, despite his serious injury?
8. Is there a protocol requiring agents to provide assistance in such cases? Was it followed?
9. What measures will be taken to investigate potential omission of assistance by public agents?
10. Has an internal investigation been opened? What is the case number and current stage?
11. Why, according to family members, has the Civil Police not yet interviewed the victim and witnesses?
12. Has the officer responsible for the shot been identified? If not, what steps are being taken for identification?
13. What actions are being taken to ensure administrative, civil, and criminal accountability for those involved?
MP-RJ Obtains Footage
The Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-RJ) informed UOL that it has already obtained images and reports from the State Military Police regarding the incidents that resulted in one death and one loss of vision among Vasco fans leaving the classic against Flamengo on May 3 at Maracanã.