bobbydiva
12-08-2009, 07:59 AM
Source: http://mpelembe.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2009/8/11/4285446.html
Brazilian right-wing politician and host of a television crime show Wallace Souza is accused of staging murders to boost ratings. Police seized illegal ammunition from his house and arrested his son and some police officers suspected of working for Souza.
MANAUS, BRAZIL TV GLOBO - A host of a television show in Brazil has been accused of ordering murders and broadcasting the footage to increase ratings of his crime reality series.
Right-wing politician Wallace Souza will go on trial for having staged crime scenes to boost the popularity of his show, "Canal Livre", aired in Amazonas state.
Souza, a former cop expelled from the Brazil's civil police body, is also accused of trafficking weapons and ammunition, although he denies all charges. Fifteen people suspected of having participated in Souza's scheme have been arrested so far.
But Amazonas' public Security Secretary Francisco Cavalcanti said they had strong evidence that shows the politician planned several of the crimes broadcast on his show.
"On several occasions they fabricated the facts, they fabricated news," he said.
Retired cop, Moacir da Costa, told police he had helped stage at least one murder ordered by Souza for his TV series.
Besides crime scenes, Souza would also show dramatic police raids and arrests, which earned him huge popularity both as a host and politician.
Investigators seized some $175,000 dollars, illegal firearms and ammunition from a safe in Souza's house. His son, Rafael Souza, was also arrested for transporting illegal ammunition in his private car.
Public prosecutor Fabio Monteiro said Souza had been accused of trafficking weapons and gang formation.
"I have pressed charges against him in court for carrying weapons illegally and forming a gang," he told reporters.
Prosecutors, police chiefs and judges involved in the case have been offered constant police protection after they received threats.
Souza's lawyer, Francisco Balieiro, said police had failed to provide proof against his client.
"Up to now, no one has presented any technical evidence, none," he said.
Souza's brothers, who work as producers on his show, said all the crime scene videos were genuine.
Talk about a movie plot.
Brazilian right-wing politician and host of a television crime show Wallace Souza is accused of staging murders to boost ratings. Police seized illegal ammunition from his house and arrested his son and some police officers suspected of working for Souza.
MANAUS, BRAZIL TV GLOBO - A host of a television show in Brazil has been accused of ordering murders and broadcasting the footage to increase ratings of his crime reality series.
Right-wing politician Wallace Souza will go on trial for having staged crime scenes to boost the popularity of his show, "Canal Livre", aired in Amazonas state.
Souza, a former cop expelled from the Brazil's civil police body, is also accused of trafficking weapons and ammunition, although he denies all charges. Fifteen people suspected of having participated in Souza's scheme have been arrested so far.
But Amazonas' public Security Secretary Francisco Cavalcanti said they had strong evidence that shows the politician planned several of the crimes broadcast on his show.
"On several occasions they fabricated the facts, they fabricated news," he said.
Retired cop, Moacir da Costa, told police he had helped stage at least one murder ordered by Souza for his TV series.
Besides crime scenes, Souza would also show dramatic police raids and arrests, which earned him huge popularity both as a host and politician.
Investigators seized some $175,000 dollars, illegal firearms and ammunition from a safe in Souza's house. His son, Rafael Souza, was also arrested for transporting illegal ammunition in his private car.
Public prosecutor Fabio Monteiro said Souza had been accused of trafficking weapons and gang formation.
"I have pressed charges against him in court for carrying weapons illegally and forming a gang," he told reporters.
Prosecutors, police chiefs and judges involved in the case have been offered constant police protection after they received threats.
Souza's lawyer, Francisco Balieiro, said police had failed to provide proof against his client.
"Up to now, no one has presented any technical evidence, none," he said.
Souza's brothers, who work as producers on his show, said all the crime scene videos were genuine.
Talk about a movie plot.