The sea and war captain and geriatric doctor Gisele Mendes de Souza e Mello was shot in the head this Tuesday (10) during an operation by the Pacifying Police Coordination Command in the Lins Favela Complex, in the area north of Rio. According to the Navy, Gisele was injured while participating in an event in one of the buildings in the Marcílio Dias Naval Hospital complex, in Lins, north of Rio, where she is superintendent of health.
“The soldier is undergoing a surgical procedure, and her health condition is serious. The Navy regrets what happened and sympathizes with the soldier’s friends and family and informs that it is providing all the necessary support to guarantee her prompt recovery”, the naval force said in a statement.
According to the press office of the Secretary of State for the Military Police, the Lins peacekeeping police unit (UPP) carried out an operation today in the region, and the police officers were attacked when they arrived in the Community of Gambá. “Subsequently, the unit command received information about an injured victim inside Marcílio Dias Hospital. Police remain reinforced at the site,” he said.
According to the State Secretariat for the Civil Police (Sepol), the investigation is being carried out by the Brazilian Navy. The ministry added “that it has already made itself available to provide any necessary support during the investigation”.
The Commission for the Defense of Human Rights and Citizenship of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) expressed dismay at the episode that occurred with the soldier. According to the commission, the doctor was hit during a confrontation near the hospital, which resulted from a UPP operation in the region, according to the Rio de Janeiro Military Police. “This is yet another case that exposes the lack of planning and intelligence in public security actions, putting innocent lives at risk”, says a statement released by the collegiate.
The president of the commission, state deputy Dani Monteiro (PSOL) demanded a rigorous and immediate investigation to clarify the circumstances of the crime. “We sympathize with the victim, hoping for his speedy recovery. The safety of the population cannot be compromised by operations that fail to guarantee the integrity of everyone”, said the parliamentarian.
