Religious cult leaders arrested by the PC for mistreatment and death of a believer in Belém

The Civil Police of Pará, through the Specialized Division for Women's Assistance (DEAM) and the Delegacy for Combating Feminicide (DEFEM), executed, on the morning of this Friday (4), in Belém, court orders for preventive arrest and search and seizure against a couple of "pastors" of a religious cult, identified as responsible for the death of a 43-year-old woman on June 19 of this year.

The suspects are being investigated for the crimes of psychological violence and mistreatment resulting in death. Investigations against the couple began in May, following reports indicating that the victim was in a state of captivity, showing signs of malnutrition and being forced to perform domestic work.

"On the same day, a police team went to the reported address, being received by one of the suspects, who called the victim to the gate. The woman, visibly weakened and extremely thin, denied the reported facts, claiming to have a friendship with the couple and to be a victim of religious intolerance from her family. She also stated that she was working remotely and refused to accompany the police to the police station," detailed Delegate Bruna Paolucci, head of DEAM.

In light of the denial, authorization was requested for an inspection of the room where the victim resided, which revealed poor living conditions, as well as signs of possible emotional alienation.

"From then on, investigative efforts were initiated to ascertain the facts, with witness testimonies being collected, with the important support of the victim's family, who confirmed the situation of psychological violence," added Bruna Paolucci.

However, when the investigations were nearing completion, with a request for precautionary measures against the suspects, the police team was informed of the victim's death due to severe malnutrition on June 19.

"According to information in the hospital care report, the victim was taken to the Guamá Emergency Room by the investigated couple, who presented themselves as neighbors, leaving the victim without any documentation and fleeing the location after being informed by the social worker of the need to register the occurrence," reported the head of DEAM.

Thus, DEAM requested preventive arrests and search and seizure measures against the suspects, and the 1st Court of Police Inquiries and Precautionary Measures of the District of Belém issued the warrants, successfully executed this Friday in Belém. The suspects were taken to the police unit for necessary procedures and are at the disposal of Justice.

"The Civil Police of the State of Pará, through the Directorate for Assistance to Vulnerable Groups (DAV) and DEAM, reaffirms its institutional commitment to the protection of women, with the swift and rigorous investigation of gender crimes and the accountability of their perpetrators, always with respect for fundamental rights and with a humanized approach to victims," emphasized Delegate Emanuela Amorim, head of DAV.