At the beginning of September prosecutors requested that the police officers – who are accused of physically assaulting youngsters from the Cova da Moura neighbourhood in February 2015, and then lying about it, among other crimes – be suspended from their duties.


But the judge on Thursday rejected the request, saying only that court officials should keep tabs on the 18 officers.


Prosecutors had argued that it was necessary to impose stricter measures so as to “safeguard … public safety and tranquillity” and because of the “need to rule out the danger of continuation of the criminal activity” of which the officers are accused. They noted that at least three of the accused are already being investigated for similar behaviour.


In announcing her decision, criminal judge Ana Paula Costa noted that all the accused have continued to do their jobs since 5 February of 2015, the date of the alleged assaults, albeit in other places or departments – some of them in desk jobs “without there being reports of their having practised identical” actions. While prosecutors had cited three ongoing investigations, she added, they had not indicated which of the officers were subject to them.


The 18 police officers are accused of slander, insult, physical assault and false testimony, as well as of other cruel and degrading or inhuman treatment, of serious abduction and of forgery. Prosecutors argue that the accused acted from motives of racial hatred, in an inhuman and cruel manner, and took pleasure in causing suffering.