Brazil police held in murder probe

By Steve Kingstone
BBC correspondent in Sao Paulo

Two Brazilian police officers have been arrested on suspicion of being responsible for the disappearance or killings of more than 40 people.

One of those killed had spoken to UN envoy Asma Jahangir

Prosecutors say the two men, Sergeant Gilvan Pompone and officer Luis de Bia, were members of a death squad operating in the north-eastern state of Bahia.

Their group's alleged victims include a man who recently gave evidence to a United Nations envoy about human rights abuses.

The two police officers have been linked to the murder or disappearance of 42 people in Santo Antonio de Jesus.

The sergeant has been described as one of the most feared men in the city.

Impunity

Three other officers are also under investigation. Prosecutors say the men were part of a death squad which killed petty criminals and anyone else considered undesirable.

The group's alleged victims include 26-year-old Gerson Jesus Bispo, who was gunned down on his way to work earlier this month.

Just days before he died, he had spoken to a visiting United Nations envoy about another killing - that of his brother.

Human rights groups say the murder was an act of vengeance, because Mr Bispo had talked to the authorities.

On leaving Brazil, the UN envoy, Asma Jahangir, said elements within the police force "continued to kill with impunity".

The accused sergeant and his fellow officer will remain in prison while the investigation continues.