Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted the president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), Rodrigo Bacellar, for allegedly sharing confidential information with Comando Vermelho, the largest criminal organization in the “Marvelous City.”
In addition to Rodrigo Bacellar, local media report that former state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as “TH Joias,” and three other individuals were also indicted.
Rodrigo Bacellar, who requested a leave from the Alerj presidency, was placed under preventive detention on December 3, 2025, by order of the Supreme Federal Court.
A few days later, the Alerj voted in favor of his release. State deputies supported revoking Bacellar’s detention by 42 votes to 21, primarily with support from right-wing representatives.
According to a Supreme Federal Court statement, which ordered Bacellar’s detention, “there are strong indications” that he participated in obstructing police operations and helped frustrate the execution of judicial warrants against former councilor and state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, aka “TH Joias.”
“TH Joias” was arrested in September 2025, accused of acting as an intermediary with Comando Vermelho—one of Brazil’s oldest and most dangerous criminal organizations—for the purchase of drugs, weapons, and anti-drone equipment.
According to Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the detention, the facts reported by the police “are extremely serious,” as Bacellar allegedly obstructed investigations and operations related to organized crime, including potentially influencing the regional executive branch.
The judge stated that Bacellar “had prior knowledge of the police operation, communicated with Thiego—the main target of the action—and even advised him on removing objects of investigative interest.”
Investigations indicate that, thanks to information provided by the legislative president, “TH Joias” was able to erase data from his phone and dispose of items from his residence before the police operation, which took place on September 3, 2025.
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Bacellar, who began his political career in 2018, has been under investigation since 2023 by the regional Public Prosecutor’s Office for suspected illicit enrichment.
Bacellar’s defense denies the allegations. He is an ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro and current Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro, who wanted the deputy to succeed him in office.
