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Brazilian police have confirmed that the remains of two bodies were those of British journalist Dom Phillips, who was killed on the Amazon, and Bruno Pereira, a native of Brazil.
One day after one of Phillips ‘bodies was identified as Phillips’ body, forensic skills determined that the other was his accomplice this Saturday.
The journalist was shot in the chest, while the domestic expert received three bullets, one of which was in the head. Ammunition used for huntingOfficials said.
Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, were first reported missing on June 5.
Both were in the Yavari Valley, near the border with Peru, in the extreme west of Brazil.
Earlier this week, a suspect identified as Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira admitted. Buried the bodies.
According to police, the suspect explained in detail how the two were killed and then took officers to the place where they were buried.
The suspect’s brother, Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, was arrested in connection with the killings, but denies any involvement in the incidents.
A third suspect was arrested Saturday. His name is Jefferson da Silva Lima, also known as Pelato da Dinha, and he changed himself at a police station in Atalia do Norde, police said.
“Heartbroken”
Following the first suspect’s confession, Dom Phillips’ family said they were “heartbroken”.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in the search, especially them Indigenous groups He worked tirelessly to find evidence of an attack, ”they said in a statement on Wednesday.
In a separate statement, Philips’ wife Alessandra Sambayo said: “Now we can take them home. Say goodbye with love “.
Sampayo added that the confession marked a beginning “Seek justice”.
Bruno Pereira was introducing contacts to a journalist who was writing a book about the Amazon.
She was also the guide when her boat failed to reach a point near the Peruvian border.
The search for Phillips and Pereira has been criticized by NGOs and relatives of the missing. Delay In sending the Armed Forces.
Who are Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira?
An excellent journalist who loves Brazil and a Tribal friendship. Some who know Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira describe it this way.
Dom Phillips had a prosperous life; Who was a reporter in such popular media Defender, Washington Post And this Financial Times.
He traveled to Brazil in 2007 in search of material for his first book, A Closer Look at the World. Electronic music Its protagonists, DJ.
“He fell in love with Brazil, and when he finished the book he stayed. Brazil was his blank canvas, it was for many immigrants before him, and Tom was ready to start a painting. New life“His friend and colleague Andrew Downey told the BBC.
At the time of his disappearance, Phillips was writing a book Sustainable development.
That is why he had gone to Periyar, a Domestic expert He met in the same region a year ago, where they would lose their way.
Perera knows the Yawari Valley “Like your palm”According to Downey.
When he served as the Director of the Isolated Indigenous Peoples Division of the National Trust of India (FUNAI), it was part of his work for many years.
However, with the arrival of Jair Bolzano to the presidency of the country, budget cuts for these types of companies began and Bruno left the company.
Since 2018 he has been working independently in the area, helping the tribal people in their struggle. Environmental protection and its cultural integrity.
It has become a target for threats from armed groups operating in the area and could affect the environmental proposals of communities.
This time he met Phillips.
The two trampled on each other on their way back down the river to the state capital, Atalia. They were last seen alive in a riverside community, just above Atalia.
Dangerous Valley of the Yawari
The Yavari Valley is a remote area the size of Portugal and is home to thousands of indigenous peoples of more than 20 groups.
It is a haven for the indigenous people who live there Isolated From the outside world.
Experts say A has become Focus on crime Due to its remoteness and lack of government oversight.
In addition to clashes with poachers, there are also illegal gold mines smuggling cocaine from nearby Peru and Colombia, as well as infiltrations by loggers and drug traffickers.
Mob violence has also increased in the area Drug traffickers They are struggling to control the waterways in the area to smuggle cocaine.
The Yawari Valley is notorious for violent clashes between these various criminal groups, government agencies and the tribal people. Phillips and Pereira documented these conflicts.
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