The Federal Police unit in Rondônia confirmed that the three corpses found in the Indigenous Tenharim Marmelo reserve, south of Amazonas state, were identified as sales representative Luciano Ferreira Freire, Professor Pinheiro Stef and Eletrobras energy utility employee Aldeney Ribeiro Salvador. They were last seen on December 16 driving along the Trans-Amazonian highway (BR-230), which runs across the Indigenous reserve. The three bodies were identified by family of the victims on Tuesday (Feb. 4).
The Federal Police had to rely on from army junglers and sniffer dogs to search the Amazon Rainforest after the pit where the bodies were buried one next to another. Five Tenharim suspects had already been ordered temporary detention a few days before the bodies were unearthed.
Detainees include Ivan and Gilson Tenharim, sons of chief Ivan Tenharim, who was found dead in the Trans-Amazon highway on December 3, 2013. The facts about Ivan's death are still obscure, but primary suspicions fall on a motorcycle accident.
Freire, Pinheiro, and Salvador went missing a few days after the Tenharim chief's death, raising suspicions of retaliation among non-indigenous locals. It was also speculated that the three men might have refused to pay the toll that the Indians charge the drivers who cut across the reserve.
As tension stirred up, non-Indians set fire to the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) in Humaitá, Amazonas, as well as toll collection facilities set up by the Tenharim. Not even the presence of the police discouraged protesters from destroying public vehicles and boats and blocking the Indians access back to the village.
Federal Prosecution in Amazonas claims that the construction of the Trans-Amazon highway caused permanent damage to indigenous communities whose territories are cut across by, or within the influence area of the road. It has brought a lawsuit against the State and Funai for violating human rights of the Tenharim and Jiahui peoples. Additionaly, it is seeking $8.300 million in damages to be fully destined for policies for indigenous peoples.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Three missing unearthed in indigenous reserve
