Journalist has his house invaded by a gang and is attacked with punches in Acre

According to the Military Police (PM-AC), four robbers broke into the journalist's house, in the Telégrafo neighborhood, after breaking a window and went to the victim's room. The bandits ransacked the furniture and demanded money. Still according to the police record, the amount of R$3,000, cell phones, among other belongings, was handed over to the gang. Even with the delivery of the objects, the journalist reported to the police that he was attacked with punches and was left with a cut on the front of his head. READ MORE: Criminal police have house invaded by criminals in Rio Branco; suspects are arrested and weapon recovered After having houses invaded and being attacked, families leave Rio Branco neighborhood: 'we are abandoned' 66-year-old man and family are taken hostage for 6 hours by criminals in Rio Branco The victim also reported that the criminals ransacked both floors of the house and then left. The PM-AC was called after the gang left and carried out patrols around the region, but no one was arrested. The police highlighted that they spoke with the victims, however, Chico was very shaken and was taken to the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) for medical care. Rede Amazônica Acre found out this Wednesday that Chico Melo is at the police station giving a statement about the robbery. The journalist's case was overturned after actions by criminals Reproduction Check out some of the demonstrations of support for the journalist: The Union of Professional Journalists of the State of Acre (Sinjac) and the National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) express their vehement rejection of the attack suffered by journalist and radio host Chico Melo, 54 years old, during the invasion of his residence, in Cruzeiro do Sul, in the early hours of this Wednesday (22). According to information released, four armed men invaded the property, attacked the professional with punches and a butt to the head, causing an injury that required medical attention at an Emergency Care Unit (UPA). The case becomes even more serious given the report that one of the criminals asked: “Are you the one who talks about politics?” Although it is not yet possible to say that the attack was related to Chico Melo's professional activity, this hypothesis cannot be ignored and must be rigorously investigated. Sinjac and FENAJ demand from the Acre Civil Police a swift, transparent and independent investigation, capable of clarifying the authorship, motivation and all circumstances of the crime, ensuring that those responsible are identified and held accountable. FENAJ also informs that it will take the case to the Electoral Working Group of the Observatory of Violence against Journalists and Social Communicators, linked to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, to monitor and adopt appropriate measures within the scope of monitoring violence committed against communication professionals. Attacking a communications professional, especially within their own home, is unacceptable violence. Any attempt to intimidate journalists or communicators represents a threat to press freedom, the right to information and democracy itself. The entities express full solidarity with Chico Melo, his family, friends and professional colleagues, wishing him a full recovery. Reporting is not a crime. Questioning is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime. Luiz Cordeiro de Souza President of Sinjac Samira de Castro President of FENAJ City Hall of Cruzeiro do Sul The City Hall of Cruzeiro do Sul expresses its solidarity with journalist Chico Melo in light of the facts disclosed this Wednesday (22), which report the invasion of his residence, attacks and threats. Freedom of the press is one of the pillars of democracy and must be respected and protected. The work carried out by information professionals, in monitoring public authorities or promoting the debate of ideas, is essential for a free and democratic society. As mayor of Cruzeiro do Sul, I reaffirm my commitment to respecting institutions, freedom of expression and the free exercise of journalism. Any and all forms of violence, intimidation or attempts to silence press professionals deserve rejection and must be rigorously investigated by the competent authorities. We hope that the facts are clarified quickly, impartially and within due legal process, so that those responsible, if identified, respond in accordance with the law. We sympathize with Chico Melo, his family and professional colleagues, reaffirming that democratic coexistence requires respect, dialogue and the guarantee of everyone's fundamental rights. OAB-AC The Brazilian Bar Association, Seccional Acre (OAB/AC), publicly expresses its most vehement disgust at the violence suffered by journalist Chico Mello, from Rádio Integração, in Cruzeiro do Sul, victim of physical aggression during an invasion of his residence in the early hours of this Wednesday, 22nd. The images released, which show serious injuries and evidence of great violence, shock society