New report leads TJPR to release couple investigated for torture in Ponta Grossa

The Court of Justice of the Paraná (TJPR) granted provisional release to Johnatan Ramirez Parra and Natasha Zaihilys Brizuela Rivas, investigated in a case involving suspected torture and seizure in Ponta Grossa. The decision also determined the suspension of the effects of the receipt of the complaint and its addition while the habeas corpus is analyzed.

According to the couple’s defense, the two remained imprisoned for approximately 30 days. During the period of imprisonment, their 4-year-old son was reportedly sent to institutional care because there were no close relatives in Brazil who could take care of the child.

Now at liberty, according to the lawyer, the couple face a lawsuit in the Court of Childhood and Youth to try to retake custody of the boy.

Police report changed the process scenario

The decision of the TJPR, signed by substitute decreeer Sergio Luiz Patitucci on September 28, cites as a new fact a complementary report prepared by the police authority.

According to the judicial document, the report pointed to Isaías José Machado as a possible true commander of the crimes investigated. The defense also maintained that the analysis of Natasha and Johnatan’s cell phones found no link between them and Isaiah or the three named as executors of the assaults.

In analysing the request, the rapporteur stated that there was plausibility in the arguments presented by the defence in the light of the new information and considered it possible to replace the prison with provisional release.

The decision also determined the issuance of the release permits of the beneficiaries, if they were not imprisoned for another reason.

Prison had been decreed in August

The pretrial detention had been determined on August 19 by the 1st Criminal Court of Ponta Grossa, following a request submitted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Paraná.

At the time, the investigation investigated an episode that occurred on July 17, in which two young people were allegedly assaulted and tortured during an alleged debt collection. A dog belonging to the family was also reportedly killed during the action, according to the autos.

In the August decision, the Justice understood, at that time, that there were enough elements to decree the pre-trial detention of Natasha, James Duque Castano and Brayan Sneider Martin Ruiz.

The same process authorized house searches, extraction of data from electronic devices and breach of bank secrecy of investigators and other people related to the investigation.

Defense says there is no evidence

In a video recorded in front of the Ponta Grossa State Forum, defense lawyer Yuri Kozan claimed that Natasha and Johnatan are innocent and called the accusation unjust.

He also criticized the consequences of the arrest for the family, especially for the 4-year-old son, who would have remained in institutional care during the period when the parents were detained.

The demonstration represents the version of the defense. The most recent decision of the TJPR granted provisional release and suspended the effects of the receipt of the complaint and the addition, but does not represent, in itself, a definitive absolution sentence.

Watch video of the couple's defense:

 

 

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