Aimed as principal of Bruno and Dom’s deaths back in prison; ‘failed to comply with conditions imposed’, says PF

Priscilla Peixoto – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Ruben Villar, popularly known as “Colômbia”, was arrested again by the Federal Police (PF) on Tuesday, 20. Rubens is suspected of being the mastermind behind the homicides against the indigenous activist Bruno Pereira and the journalist Dom Phillips. The arrest was ordered by Judge Fabiano Verli, of the district of Tabatinga, in Amazonas, and, according to the Federal Police, he did not respect the conditions imposed to remain on provisional release.

“The Federal Police informs that on Tuesday, 20/12, made the arrest of the fugitive from justice, known as ‘Colômbia’, who responds to criminal proceedings for being the leader of a criminal association engaged in illegal fishing in Javari Valley. His arrest was ordered again by the Federal Court of Tabatinga/AM because the defendant had failed to comply with the conditions imposed on the occasion of the granting of his provisional freedom”, reports the PF.

The PF also reported that he will be sent to a custody hearing and then returned to the prison system. To prevent a new escape, the “Federal Police will request that he be sent to a maximum security federal prison.

“Colômbia” had been under house arrest since 21 October. Besides the electronic anklet, placed soon after getting the provisional release, as determined by court, he was also forbidden to leave Manaus.

Flagrant

On 8 July, Rubem Villar was arrested in flagrante delicto for using false documents, when he was being questioned at the Tabatinga police station about alleged participation in the killings. He denied involvement in the crime. When he was arrested, he told the Federal Police that he knew Amarildo da Costa Oliveira, also involved in the killings of the indigenous victim and the journalist. At the time, the suspect reported that there was only a “commercial relationship” with the fisherman and others from the Atalaia do Norte region.

At the time, “Colômbia” appeared at the police station spontaneously, accompanied by a lawyer. According to the superintendent of PF, Eduardo Fontes, the arrest occurred on account of forgery of documents, whose penalty for this type of crime is four years and can not afford bail. Therefore, according to the delegate, the suspect should remain in custody.

The case of Dom and Bruno

Journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira disappeared in the Vale do Javari region, in Amazonas, on 5 June this year, after being threatened in the field. The two were last seen on their way from São Rafael Community to Atalaia do Norte municipality. Only on June 15, human remains of the victims were located.