Brazilian prosecutors charged Ruben Dario Villar with ordering the killings of journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira in the Amazon. Villar is accused of financing illegal fishing operations that led to the murders, which were tied to Pereira’s environmental work. He has denied the charges and remains in custody since 2022.
Brazilian prosecutors have charged Ruben Dario Villar, a Colombian fish trader, for allegedly orchestrating the 2022 murders of journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira. The formal charges were filed on Thursday, adding another layer to this high-profile case that has drawn international attention.
Phillips and Pereira went missing on June 5, 2022, in the Amazon rainforest. Phillips was working on a book titled “How to Save the Amazon” when he was killed. Following his death, his family and colleagues posthumously completed this book, which will be released in the U.S. on June 10.
The federal prosecutors have described the murders as brutal and senseless, stating that the two men were attacked without any chance to defend themselves. “Bruno and Dom were assaulted and murdered for a vile — despicable, perverse — reason, in a cruel manner,” said an official statement concerning the case.
The police investigation detailed that Villar had financed illegal fishing operations within Indigenous lands, where many Indigenous communities reside, including some of the world’s last uncontacted tribes. Investigators believe Pereira’s enforcement of environmental laws put him in Villar’s crosshairs.
Villar has remained in custody since his arrest in 2022 and continues to deny any involvement in the crime. His legal representatives have yet to respond to requests for comments from the media. This case underscores ongoing tensions and challenges in the Amazon region, highlighting the perilous situations faced by those defending Indigenous rights and the environment.
The charging of Ruben Dario Villar marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to seek justice for Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips. Their murders spotlight the risks faced by advocates in the Amazon and stem from a larger conflict involving illegal activities threatening Indigenous territories. Villar’s denial of misconduct adds complexity to the case as it continues to unfold amid heightened scrutiny of environmental laws in Brazil’s Amazon region.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
