Brazilian Prosecutors Charge Man Accused of Ordering High-Profile Killing in Amazon Region

Brazilian prosecutors have formally charged Ruben Dario Villar for allegedly orchestrating the murders of Indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips in the Amazon. The killings, which took place in 2022, were linked to Pereira’s enforcement of environmental laws. Villar has been in jail since 2022 and denies the accusations.

In a significant legal development on Thursday, Brazilian prosecutors officially charged Ruben Dario Villar for allegedly orchestrating the brutal murders of Indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips in the Amazon rainforest. Villar, a Colombian fish trader, was previously identified by Brazilian police last November as the mastermind behind the killings.

Three years ago, on June 5, 2022, Phillips and Pereira vanished while conducting research. Phillips was in the midst of writing a crucial book aimed at raising awareness about the threats facing the Amazon, which has since been completed and published by loved ones in Brazil. “How to Save the Amazon” is set for release in the U.S. on June 10 after being compiled by fellow journalists from his notes and unfinished chapters.

Federal prosecutors emphasized the heinous nature of the murders in their statement, declaring, “Bruno and Dom were assaulted and murdered for a vile — despicable, perverse — reason, in a cruel manner, without any chance of defense.” The investigation revealed Villar’s links to illegal fishing operations in the Javari Valley Indigenous Territories, a region home to thousands of Indigenous residents, including numerous uncontacted groups.

Motivated by Pereira’s attempts to uphold and enforce local environmental laws, Villar’s alleged involvement is underlined by the serious allegations surrounding the case. Although he has been incarcerated since 2022, he maintains his innocence. Attempts by the Associated Press to obtain comments from Villar’s legal team have not yielded a response to date.

In summary, the Brazilian prosecutors’ charges against Ruben Dario Villar mark a crucial step in seeking justice for the murders of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips. Their case highlights the serious threats faced by environmental advocates in the region and underscores ongoing issues regarding illegal activities in Indigenous territories. As the release of Phillips’ book approaches, attention to these events remains heightened, stressing the importance of advocacy and protection for the Amazon.

Original Source: www.newsday.com