EXECUTIONS

672.2. Severino do Ramo GonzagaMatos, 20, mason's assistant,and Carlos Roberto Gonçalvesdo Nascimento, 24, mason'sassistant.On May 30, 1999, Military Police arrested the victims in theRangel neighborhood for questioning. Three days later, the victims' bodieswere found riddled with bullets in Mata do Buraquinho forest on highwayBR-230.The Police report states that Carlos do Nascimento was shot fivetimes in the head, while Severino Matos was shot four times. According tothe report, the victims were brutally beaten as soon as they left their houses,placed in the trunk of a Military Police Vehicle but not taken to the policestation.A number of witnesses observed the beating, which occurred in apopulated area. The statements given to the Civil and Military Police led tothe police recommendation of indictment of military police officersJohnson Cleyton de Alburquerque Dinis, Weldson de Melo Oliveira,Cosme Edílson Borges, Gilvanício Francisco Pontes and Joabe do AmaralBezerra.Source: Office of Representative Luiz Couto.2.3. Executions in Pedras de Fogoand Juripiranga.Between August 1997 and September 1999 the cities of Pedras deFogo and Juripiranga were the sites of more than twenty death squadkillings. The deaths occurred in houses, in front of commercialestablishments and on public streets. The bodies were frenquently foundriddles with bullets and charred.It is believed that small shop owners and plant owners financed thekillings to intimidate rural workers who were demanding respect for theirlabor rights. At least five of the deaths were motivated by the actions ofworkers against their employers.The information released placed responsibility for the homicideson Military Police officers Flávio Inácio Pereira, "Luís", Dantas and César,