Rio De Janeiro riots turn deadly as protests erupt over killing of professional TV dancer in city slum
Latest violent incident adds to growing security fears ahead of international sporting events
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Deadly protests broke out in a slum near Brazil's Copacabana beach after police and protesters clashed over the death of a professional dancer on Tuesday night.
One person was reported dead in the shootout in the Pavao-Pavaozinho favela and a 12-year-old boy was injured in the protest, according to local media.
The slum was placed under lockdown as protesters set barricades of tyres and cars alight. Several streets were blocked as police struggled to contain the protest.
The unrest began after the body of professional dancer Douglas Rafael da Silva Pareira was found dead on Tuesday morning.
Residents blamed the police for the death, accusing authorities of mistaking the television dancer for a drug trafficker.
Rio de Janeiro's State Security Secretariat said his death is being investigated, but his injuries appear to be consistent with a fall, according to Rio authorities.
With the World Cup just two months away, the favelas represent the biggest security crisis facing Rio since it launched the police pacification units (UPPs) programme five years ago.
The initiative reclaims lawless territory ruled by drug traffickers in the slums and replaces it with a police presence. However, crime is still present in "pacified" slums such as Pavao-Pavaozinho, adding to security concerns ahead of the World Cup, which begins on 12 June.
The latest incident comes only days after residents of the Caramujo slum, near Rio de Janeiro, set alight four buses to protest at the deaths of 21-year old Anderson Santos Silva, who was killed by a bullet on his way to a Good Friday church service, and 17-year-old Emanoel Gomes who died after his motorbike crashed into a military vehicle.
According to Amnesty International, police in Brazil are responsible for around 2,000 deaths every year in shootings and violent incidents that often go unpunished.
Amnesty International Brazil office director, Atila Roque, said: "Our police still have blood on their hands, and are allowed to act with impunity as extra-judicial killings remain rife in Brazil’s major cities."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments