FILE - In this March 14, 2019 file photo, a woman wears a T-shirt designed with an image of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco during a memorial Mass to mark the one-year anniversary of her death, at the Candelaria Catholic Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Police have detained on Thursday, October 3, four people suspected of disposing of weapons allegedly used in the 2018 killing of Franco. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, File)

Brazilian police arrest 4 linked to city councillor’s killing

RIO DE JANEIRO – Police arrested four people Thursday on suspicion of disposing of weapons allegedly used in the 2018 killing of an activist city council member in Rio de Janeiro.

Authorities believe the suspects arranged for the firearms to be dumped at sea with the help of a fisherman who later testified that he was paid $75. Police in boats have searched in vain for the weapons.

Two former police officers are already in jail on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Marielle Franco and her driver, who were shot March 14, 2018.

Franco was a prominent activist for Afro-Brazilian and LGBT rights and a critic of what she described as police violence.

The motive for her killing remains unclear.

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Abbey Westbury

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