The news marks a grim conclusion to a case that has raised global alarm, weighing on the president Jair Bolsonaro at a regional summit and causing concern in the British Parliament.
Phillips, a freelance reporter who has written for The Guardian and The Washington Post, was doing book research while on a trip with Pereira, a former chief of recently contacted and isolated tribes at Brazil’s federal agency for indigenous affairs (Funai).
Both were in a remote area of the Amazon near the border with Colombia and Peru called the Javari Valley, which is home to the largest number of uncontacted Indians in the world. The region has been invaded by illegal fishermen, hunters, loggers and minersand police describe it as a key drug-trafficking route.
Police had previously identified their prime suspect as the fisherman Amarildo daCosta, known as “Pelado,” who was arrested last week on weapons charges. His brother Oseney da Costa, 41, or “Dos Santos,” was arrested Tuesday night.
Public defenders representing the brothers could not be immediately reached for comment, Reuters reported. The family of the suspects had previously denied having any role in the men’s disappearance.
Detective Fontes told reporters that the “first suspect” had confessed and led police to the human remains, but the other suspect in custody had denied any involvement despite incriminating evidence. Police are investigating the involvement of a third party and further arrests are possible.he added.
The brothers were seen meeting on the Itacoai River moments after Phillips and Pereira passed through the sector on June 5, heading for the riverside town of Atalaia do Norte, a witness told police in a report seen by Reuters.
News of the men’s disappearance in the Amazon reverberated around the world, with human rights organizations, environmentalists and media advocates urging Bolsonaro to step up the search after a slow start.
Bolsonaro, who once faced harsh questioning from Phillips at a news conference about weakening environmental enforcement, said last week that the two men “were in an affair that is not recommended.” On Wednesday, the Brazilian president suggested that Phillips had made enemies by writing about environmental issues.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Wednesday that he was deeply concerned about Phillips’ disappearance and said his government was working with Brazilian authorities to investigate the case.
Source: Ambito
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