June 10, 2022

08:06

Priscilla Peixoto – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The mayor of Atalaia do Norte (1.138 kilometers from Manaus), Denis Paiva, says he went to the residence of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, popularly known as ‘Pelado’, (suspected of the disappearance of indigenous Bruno Pereira and English journalist Dom Phillips, last Sunday, 5), but denies that the presence at the home of Amarido has been in support and solidarity with the suspect.

In an interview to CENARIUM MAGAZINE, Denis Paiva highlights that he was at the site on Tuesday, 7, as city manager, in order to assist together with the Civil Defense in the search for the missing. “They talk a lot and want to create factoids that we went there in solidarity; as every representative of the people, I went there to do my part. We arrived together with the teams and I didn’t just go to his house, I went to other people’s houses as well”, says Paiva.

The mayor of Atalaia points out that, although the structure is small, the city hall is focusing on actions that help to elucidate the case. According to Denis Paiva, there are three boats available, more than 25 professionals working in the search, costs with fuel for the boats used to travel to the distant communities and food for the team.

“We are giving all the logistical and structural support we can to help in these searches. Unfortunately, we are not able to solve the problem overnight and give a quicker response to the case. It is in our interest to clarify what happened, because we understand that it is a priority, that these are human beings, and that we have to give an answer to these families who, today, are crying”, emphasizes the mayor.

“An acquaintance”

Asked if there is any kind of closeness or friendship with ‘Pelado’, the mayor of Atalaia told that he has no friendly relationship with the suspect, but that he had seen the man during election campaign activities.

“Am I going to deny that I know him? No. Because I know the person, but I have no friendship with him. Just as I know 80% of the population of this city. I didn’t live with him, I had the opportunity to talk to him during the campaign, in the community, and not only with him, but with many people, because it is part of the activities of the public man”, he explains.

Defense of the suspect

About the performance of the attorney general of the municipality and also lawyer Ronaldo Caldas da Silva Maricaua, sought by the family to advocate in defense of Amarildo, Paiva said that the work of a private lawyer has no ties with the city hall and that he doesn’t see any impediment in relation to the Atalaia’s attorney taking over the case.

“I don’t think there is any problem, because the city doesn’t have the luxury of providing many lawyers, and this is a private job that is not only in this case, he advocates for many people who seek him out, and, in this sense, I don’t see a problem. What is right, we have to reinforce and what is wrong we will ask that justice be done, we are not hiding criminals and if the person actually participated he will be punished,” he concludes.