Prisoners took police hostage and also killed five other inmates Reproduction Eight people were arrested for being part of a criminal organization and acting in a coordinated manner to provoke a rebellion that ended with five prisoners dead at the Antônio Amaro Maximum Security Prison, in Rio Branco, in July 2023. Added together, the sentences exceed 100 years. Some of the defendants are identified as the leaders of the Comando Vermelho faction, while the rest acted, according to the complaint from the Public Ministry of Acre (MP-AC), at the behest of the group. Each of those convicted received a 12 year and 10 month sentence. (See the convictions below) ? Join the g1 AC channel on WhatsApp Among the accused, Railan da Silva Santos and Selmir da Silva Almeida Melo are appointed as president and vice president, respectively, of the criminal group. g1 in 1 minute - AC: Inquiry into prison riot with 5 dead was not completed. It is also stated in the sentence that both assumed control and official dialogue with the faction during the crisis, maintaining direct communication with public security forces and state negotiators. In audios transcribed in the records, Railan presents himself as a representative of the rebels and leads the negotiations. At one point, he expressly threatens that a police invasion would result in the execution of the criminal police officer held hostage, demonstrating his unequivocal power of command over the mutineers. Investigations showed that the rebellion was planned weeks before, with the aim of promoting the criminal faction, facilitating an escape attempt and eliminating leaders of a rival group. READ MORE: One year after rebellion with 5 dead in Acre, MP investigations point to State failures: 'Negligence and omission' Video shows inmates leaving cells to start rebellion in maximum security prison in Acre Escapees from prison in Mossoró are reported for rebellion in Acre that ended with five deaths Another person involved in the case, Gelcimar Pinto de Macedo, aka "Terror", appears as one of the first prisoners to start the rebellion and negotiations. A letter supposedly written by him, seized before the riot, requested authorization from the leaders to carry out the rebellion, evidencing prior planning. The sentence was handed down by the Criminal Organizations Court of the District of Rio Branco, therefore, an appeal is still possible. According to the MP, the defendants were convicted: Bertônio da Silva Lessa Identified as a member of the faction's permanent council, the leadership responsible for strategic deliberations. He acted as regional leader in Tarauacá, being responsible for the group's activities in the region, in addition to acting as godfather and recruiter for several members. He was in pavilion 1 of the prison and was released by rebel prisoners shortly after the start of the rebellion, which, according to the decision, is compatible with his prominent position. Lawyer Maria da Guia Medeiros de Araujo, who also defended two other defendants, reported that the defense is still evaluating whether to appeal. Cleydvar Alves da Silva He was also a member of the faction's council and played an important role in the expansion of the criminal organization in the state, actively acting as godfather and recruiter of new members. He was identified by investigations and images inside the so-called "situation room" (crisis/deliberation office of the leaders), working alongside the president and vice-president of the faction. He carried a rifle, exercising security at the site and participating directly in strategic decisions and negotiations with the security forces. Lawyer Maria da Guia Medeiros de Araujo, who also defended two other defendants, reported that the defense is still evaluating whether to appeal. Gelcimar Pinto de Macedo Appointed as one of the first prisoners to start the rebellion and negotiations. A letter supposedly written by him (seized before the riot) requested authorization from the leaders to carry out the rebellion, evidencing prior planning. g1 was unable to locate his defense. James Oliveira Bezerra Leader of the faction and the revolt in the prison. He roamed freely armed throughout the penitentiary complex carrying a firearm and using a ballistic vest that had been stolen from the prison unit's own arsenal. He was recorded acting in the vicinity of the criminal police officer held hostage. He acted on the front line of the negotiations and was pointed out by the hostage and the prosecution witness as one of the first prisoners to initiate negotiations and negotiations with the public security forces, demonstrating authority and prestige before the other members. To the police, he admitted to being part of the faction and having participated in the confrontations. Lawyer Maria da Guia Medeiros de Araujo, who also defended two other defendants, reported that the defense is still evaluating whether to appeal. Manoel Moreira da Silva He held the position of advisor to the criminal organization, being treated with a high degree of respect and participating in the deliberations of relevant decisions of the faction. g1 was unable to locate his defense. Paulo Roberto Araújo Campelo is identified by investigations and recordings as one of the inmates who committed acts of indiscipline with the purpose of being removed to Pavilion 1 (corrective sector), a place used to coordinate and execute the criminal plan of the rebellion. g1 was unable to locate his defense. Railan Silva dos Santos President of the faction, exercising maximum leadership and strong authority over the other members. He used a cell phone from inside the prison that served as the faction's administrative center. He directly coordinated and supervised financial activities, the collection of monthly fees ("little boxes" and collection of amounts from "smoking joints"), the administration of drug sales points, the acquisition of firearms, payments to lawyers and the financing of the "war" against rival factions. During the rebellion at the Antônio Amaro Alves Penitentiary, he assumed a central position in negotiations with public security forces, acting as the rebels' main interlocutor. He was part of the "situation room" (crisis office) and the faction's council, actively participating in strategic deliberations during the mutiny, including the prior approval of the executions of members of rival factions. To g1, lawyer Gleiciane Pereira highlighted, in a note, that the process is being carried out in secret. "The defense bases its actions on ethics, legality and respect for procedural guarantees, which is why it does not transform legal proceedings into an instrument of public exposure or sensationalism, especially given the personal and legal situation experienced by those involved", he criticized. (Check the full note below) Selmir da Silva Almeida Melo He is appointed as the vice-president of the faction, occupying a prominent position at the top of the faction for several years. He acted directly as godfather and recruiter of several new members, driving the expansion of the criminal organization in the territory. Like Railan, he assumed a central role in negotiations with the security forces, acting as the faction's official interlocutor during the crisis. He actively participated in deliberations in the "situation room" installed inside the prison, where leaders made strategic decisions and deliberated on the measures adopted during the riot. The document cites a previous episode in which he interrupted another prisoner's dialogue with criminal police officers to order them not to talk to the police, demonstrating his authority and command over the other inmates. He was represented by the Public Defender's Office (DPE-AC), which usually does not comment on cases. Revolt and deaths in the prison The rebellion began on the morning of July 26, 2023 when prisoners surrendered to the criminal police and gained access to the weapons that were used to take over the unit's isolation pavilion. Criminal police officer Janilson da Silva Ferreira was shot in the eye, but managed to leave the scene. Another server was held hostage until the end of the rebellion, which ended around 10 am on July 27th. Before handing themselves in, the prisoners demanded the presence of the Human Rights prosecutor from the Public Ministry, Tales Tranin, to put an end to the rebellion. Investigations indicate that, around ten days before the rebellion, some strategic transfers of prisoners were made to pavilion 1. After the transfer, the inmates began the process of sawing the cell doors and preparing to escape. Rebellion Thirteen inmates were in the pavilion on the day of the rebellion. Images from the prison's internal cameras, which were working, show the exact moment the escape attempt began. It was 11 am when a criminal police officer came in armed to deliver lunch boxes. The cleaner, a prisoner who is free in the unit and assists the police, also appears in the images carrying lunch boxes when prisoners leave their cells. One of them runs towards the criminal police officer and the other towards the cleaner. The two are taken hostage. Delegate Roberth Alencar explained that the rebellion followed a sequence of planned actions, which began with cutting down the cell doors in pavilion 1, followed by access to the warehouse to obtain weapons. Then, the prisoners tried to execute an escape plan and attack members of rival groups. According to the delegate, some of the inmates were coerced into changing factions under threat, using weapons belonging to the State itself. Still according to Alencar, the decision was to escape and eliminate rival leaders, with the aim of weakening the opposing group and expanding the power of the criminal organization within the prison system. Transfers and investigations After the rebellion, the government of Acre requested the transfer of those involved as a means of isolating and containing the criminal leaders. Some of the prisoners were sent to the federal penitentiary system in September 2023, in an operation coordinated by the security forces. In March 2024, Gaeco reported that the detainees reported began to also respond to cases in preventive detention, in addition to the sentences already served, and that the actions entered the phase of collecting preliminary defenses. The investigations into the rebellion were divided into different fronts and include investigations into structural and operational failures of the State, in addition to the possible participation of public servants. A civil inquiry initiated by the MP-AC determines the State's responsibility for omission and negligence in the case. In December last year, Cleydivar, who had been held since September 2023 at the Federal Penitentiary of Mossoró, in Rio Grande do Norte, returned to the Acre prison system following a decision by the Federal Court. The return was authorized after the end of his period of stay in the federal penitentiary system and the rejection of the request for an extension so that he could remain in the unit. According to Iapen, the transfer was carried out under reinforced security and in a confidential manner. Note from the defense of Railan Silva dos Santos As Railan's defense lawyer, I will not comment on the merits of the case, as it is being processed under judicial secrecy, the observance of which constitutes a legal duty for everyone involved. Unlike the stance adopted by the Public Prosecutor's Office when disclosing information relating to the case, the defense will remain faithful to the limits imposed by legislation and respect for judicial decisions, refraining from commenting on facts protected by procedural secrecy. The defense bases its actions on ethics, legality and respect for procedural guarantees, which is why it does not transform legal proceedings into an instrument of public exposure or sensationalism, especially given the personal and legal situation experienced by those involved. VIDEOS: g1