New arrests in the double murder in the Amazon

New arrests in the double murder in the Amazon

Published: Less than 3 hours ago

full screen A total of nine people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder of the British journalist Dom Phillips and the Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira who disappeared in the Amazon at the beginning of June. Photo: Silvia Izquierdo/AP/TT

Brazilian police have arrested five new suspects for involvement in the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, who disappeared in the Amazon in early June.

A total of nine people have been detained for involvement in the crime, whose motive is suspected to be linked to illegal fishing in the area.

One of the previous suspects is said to be a drug dealer and leader of a criminal group that engages in illegal fishing in the Javaridalen.

A fisherman has already previously admitted that he shot the two men dead. Among the five recently arrested are relatives of the fisherman. Police suspect they helped him bury the victims.

Phillips and Pereira were shot dead on June 5 on the outskirts of the Javaridalen. Pereira had worked to stop illegal fishing in the reserve. Phillips, who freelanced for The Guardian, traveled with the indigenous expert to do research for a book.

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