Rio governor branded a show-off after tweeting video during police operation

Bolsonaro ally Wilson Witzel was onboard police helicopter when he tweeted the video
Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro
Sun 5 May 2019 14.35 EDT

Rio de Janeiro’s new governor, Wilson Witzel, is facing criticism after tweeting a video from a helicopter while observing a police operation in which shots were reportedly fired by the forces.

According to one local councillor, police snipers were onboard the helicopter during the mission over drug-gang controlled areas in the seaside town of Angra dos Reis, around 200km from Rio.

. . .

“I do not know whether to commemorate or ridicule, but our exhibitionist, macho governor did not shoot or imprison anyone in the helicopter operation he publicised. It was just for show,” tweeted Luciana Boiteux, an associate professor of penal law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro who stood as a leftist candidate for congress.

. . .

Witzel is a former judge who is strongly allied to the far-right Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, and vowed to give police powers to “slaughter” gun-toting bandits during his campaign. Since he took office in January, shots fired from police helicopters during operations have become more frequent, sparking fears he has already introduced his “shoot to kill” policy after police killings reached a record high.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/05/rio-governors-video-with-police-snipers-called-out-as-a-show-off

Also posted in LBN:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142312069