Rio de Janeiro: Four inmates have died in a penitentiary rebellion in the city of Manaus as the overall death toll from a week of bloodshed in Brazilian prisons approaches 100.
Brazil’s G1 news website said today the four new deaths were confirmed by the head of penitentiaries in the northern state of Amazonas. It says three inmates were decapitated and the fourth suffocated, perhaps from smoke caused by fire.
Close to 100 inmates have died since Jan 1 in prison rebellions in the northern states of Roraima and Amazonas that authorities blame on fighting between rival gangs.
Brazil’s Justice Ministry says it will send security forces, equipment and funds to states battling the crisis.
Many fear the violence could spread to cities as the gangs vie for control inside prisons and slums.
PTI
