The massacre at the Jacarezinho slum killed 27 civilians and one policeman. | Photo: EFE

Rio de Janeiro, May 9 (RHC)-- Hundreds of people held a day of protest to demand justice after a police operation in a favela in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which left 28 people dead.

According to the most recent reports, the massacre that occurred on Thursday in the Jacarezinho favela caused the death of 27 civilians and one policeman.  Residents of Jacarezinho are demanding justice from Rio de Janeiro state authorities for the event, which followed a police operation in the area, allegedly to tackle a criminal organization operating in the area.

The Human Rights Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, in this regard, began an investigation to establish criminal responsibility for the incident.  At the same time, the Supreme Court of the South American country requested the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the massacre.

Social movements denounced that the massacre flagrantly violated the resolution of the Federal Supreme Court, which prohibits police operations in the favelas of the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

Based on figures from the Public Security Institute, about 1,000 people have been killed in such operations since the beginning of the pandemic, despite the ban.