Verônica Costa, former city councilwoman, considered a fugitive

The arrest warrant against Verônica Costa, former Rio city councilwoman and businesswoman known as Mãe Loira do Funk, was issued on Tuesday (22). The decision follows the exhaustion of appeals filed by the defense in the higher courts, bringing the case's proceedings in the upper courts to a close.

Conviction for torturing her ex-husband

Verônica Costa was convicted in 2023 to 10 years and 8 months in prison under an initially closed regime for torturing her ex-husband Márcio Costa. The accusation was based on reports that the man was held captive, tied up, gagged, and subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including having insecticide sprayed on his face and being threatened with being set on fire with gasoline.

Search for the convicted woman and animal abandonment

During the Civil Police operation carried out on Wednesday (23) at Verônica's home in Barra da Tijuca, the businesswoman was not found. The apartment was empty, and two dogs were found abandoned at the location. To date, the former councilman has not surrendered to the authorities.

Sentences of relatives also upheld

Four of Verônica's relatives were also convicted in the same trial. Her brother, Bruno Chaves Ribeiro, received 10 years and 8 months in prison; her sister, Tatiane Chaves Ribeiro, Tatiane's husband, Bruno Marcelo Bahia Marques, and her stepfather, Sebastião de Oliveira Evangelista, were sentenced to 10 years in prison each. None of them are in custody.

Reaction from Márcio Costa's defense

Márcio Costa's defense, represented by Leandro Bessa, described the arrest warrant as the "crystallization of justice." Bessa stated that the ex-husband was the victim of torture, including being soaked in fuel and threatened with being set on fire. He claimed that the victim's legal team considered the crime committed against Márcio to be barbaric and that the arrest warrant was a cause for celebration of justice.

Next steps

The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) rejected appeals against the conviction, and the Supreme Federal Court (STF) upheld the previous decisions. The Civil Police continue to conduct searches to locate the convicted woman and enforce the judicial order.

With information from G1, Folha de S.Paulo, VEJA.