Brazil: new conflict in prison of Rio Grande do Norte

Prisoners of the Alcaçuz State Penitentiary, in the metropolitan area of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, came into another conflict this morning (Jan. 19), when scenes of rival drug gangs battle were broadcast live on TV.

For the fifth day in a row, the inmates climbed to the roofs of the their respective wings and went to the courtyard of the prison. From Saturday to Sunday (15), the prison unit was a battle stage and at least 26 prisoners were killed.

Military Police vehicles patrol outside the area of the prison and helicopters fly over the place. Rubber bullets and tear gas bombs were shot from watchtowers on the prison's walls.

Groups of prisoners were filmed carrying injured prisoners on wheelbarrows. And the prison's wings were wreathed in smoke.

Since last weekend, prison units in Rio Grande do Norte have witnessed battles and threats among prisoners members of rival gangs. Inmates are freely walking around the unit's courtyard, carrying knives, iron bars, and sticks.

State security officials suspect that the death toll of inmates may rise and bodies may have been thrown into sewage pits inside the prison.

The state government reported that police reinforcements are already going to the prison. Part of the police officers who had been working in the unit in the last few days had been relocated on Wednesday (18), when a wave of attacks to destroy buses, police vehicles, and public buildings was reported in Natal and other towns in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta