Brazil - Brazzil Mag - Second Killer of US Nun Arrested in Brazil

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U.S. missionary Dorothy Stang murdered in Pará, Brazil

Brazil's Federal Police arrested, today, Clodoaldo Carlos Batista, suspected of being the second killer in the murder of the American missionary, Dorothy Stang, in Anapu, in the state of Pará, in northern Brazil.

According to the police, Batista's characteristics fit the oral description and information provided yesterday by Rayfran das Neves Sales, who was identified on Friday, February 18, by an eyewitness as one of the nun's slayers.

The police informed that Sales confessed the crime in his statement to the authorities and named Batista as his partner. He presumably also confessed that he was hired by Amair Freijole da Cunha ("Tato").

Stang, who was a naturalized Brazilian, was murdered on the morning of February 12. She had labored for over 30 years on behalf of environmental causes and landless workers.

Stang had reported various death threats she received due to her struggle against rural violence and land squatting.

At any moment the policy are awaiting the surrender of the last suspect, for whom a warrant of preventive prison has already been issued.

He is Vitalmiro de Bastos Moura, accused of being responsible for ordering the crime.

Since Saturday, February 19, Moura's lawyer has been negotiating his surrender with the police.

Open Season on Environmentalists
written by Guest, 2005-02-24 05:03:07

Another eco-crusader was killed recently in Rio for his work there. Funny (or should I say sad) how he, and the many others killed in Para prior to Dorothy Stang´s assassination have received very little print or concern on the part of the press and government here in Brazil.

Lula orders troops, ministers, and investigators to quickly and effeciently crack Dorothy´s case knowing full well that the world is watching, yet, when a Brazilian is killed fighting for the same cause, NOTHING is ever done.

I´m saddened with what happened to Ms. Stang, and I am relieved that her death has provoked a reaction in this country to clean up the mess in Para, however, year after year many hard working, dedicated Brasilian environmentalists, social advocates and the like have been gunned down or faced death threats, and the government has done little to nothing.

Let Dorothy´s case not be another image campaign of "pra inglese ver" Lula has to step up to the plate and try and ensure the safety of all who are fighting for a better Brazil - socially and environmentally. Even when the international press is not looking.