Law No.15,245, which strengthens the fight against organized crime, was published this Thursday (Oct. 30) in the Official Gazette of the Union. Signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the legislation amends the Penal Code (Law 2,848/1940), introducing new types of crimes and increasing protections for public officials.
According to the text, hiring a member of a criminal organization to commit a crime will now carry a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years, to be added to the penalty for the crime committed.
The Law on Criminal Organizations (12,850/2013) was also amended and now classifies the crimes of obstructing actions against organized crime and conspiring to obstruct such actions, both punishable by four to 12 years in prison.
In both cases, even before trial, the provisional detention of the accused must be served in a federal maximum-security prison, the text of the new law emphasizes.
In addition to these changes, Law No. 12,694 was amended to provide for personal protection measures for judicial authorities, members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, police officers, and other public security professionals, whether active or retired. The protection will be guaranteed to professionals facing risks arising from the exercise of their duties and is extended to their family members.
Operation Containment
The amendment to the Penal Code was announced following Operation Containment, an action by Rio de Janeiro’s Civil and Military Police to combat the Comando Vermelho faction in the favelas of Alemão and Penha, which left more than 120 dead.
The operation is considered the deadliest in the country’s history and highlighted the challenges of combating organized crime.
In retaliation, criminals linked to Comando Vermelho blocked streets across the city with vehicles and barricades, and even launched explosives from drones, directly affecting the lives of Rio de Janeiro residents.
Emergency office
Another political announcement following the disastrous operation in Rio de Janeiro’s capital was the creation of an emergency office to combat organized crime in the state.
According to Justice and Public Security Minister Ricardo Lewandowski and Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro, the objective is to improve integration between the federal and state levels.
Coordination will be shared between the National Secretary of Public Security, Mário Sarrubbo, and Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary of Public Security, Victor Santos.
Source: Agência Brasil