Three men have been arrested for the attacks that led to the death of Congolese Kabagambe at a kiosk in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio's West Zone. | Photo: Twitter @taliriapetrone

Brasilia, February 6 (RHC)-- Justice for the murder of Moïse Kabagambe was one of the phrases most heard this Saturday during several protests held in Rio de Janeiro, and other parts of Brazil, to demand the clarification of the death of the Congolese migrant, who had lived in this country for 10 years. 

Citizens mobilized in at least 30 Brazilian cities denounced structural violence and racism that persists in Brazil, after the murder of the young African, who worked serving drinks at a kiosk in Tropicalia beach.

Popular movements expressed their indignation at the crime of the young African, whose murder was hushed up by the Brazilian media for several days, but which in the course of time raised a wave of rejection for the violence committed for reasons of hate. 

The young Congolese was murdered last week in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio de Janeiro, beaten to death for having asked to be paid for the days of work done in a kiosk in one of the most famous beaches of the city.

What happened to the Congolese Kabagambe, assisted by Caritas since his arrival in South America, filled Brazil with indignation and even prompted a strong statement from the National Conference of Bishops, CNBB, together with other organizations.

Three men have been arrested for the attacks that caused the death of the Congolese Kabagambe in a kiosk in Barra da Tijuca, in the West Zone of Rio.   According to the police, one of the prisoners is a seller of caipirinhas on the beach and was arrested in Paciência, also in the West Zone.  He was identified only as Fábio Silva. Also according to the police, Fábio confessed to the agents that he hit the Congolese man with a stick. 

Another man who admits to having committed the aggressions that resulted in the death of the Congolese presented himself at the 34th DP (Bangu) and was taken to the Rio Homicide Police Station. He was identified as Aleson Cristiano de Oliveira Fonseca. and is 27 years old.

In a video, Aleson stated that "nobody wanted to take his life" (Moïse) and that the group went to "defend the gentleman" of the kiosk next door, with whom the young man had "a problem". The identity of the third person arrested was not disclosed by the police.

The police chief of the city's Homicide Division, Henrique Damasceno, informed that the Court will be asked to keep the three arrested at this stage of the investigation.

Police seized a weapon used in the crime: a wooden bar, which had been discarded in a bush near the crime scene, according to Damasceno.

According to the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, the accused were identified after hearing the testimonies of people who witnessed the lethal beating with sticks. After the act, the victim was tied with a rope by one of the defendants.