RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun. 22 (Xinhua) -- A hundred days after the political assassination of Marielle Franco, a young and promising left-wing city council member in Rio de Janeiro, the local police have not yet presented any results of investigation.
Franco, an activist for women and black rights, was murdered on March 14 along with her driver Anderson Gomes as they returned from a political event in Rio de Janeiro. Their car was shot several times. Franco was hit at least four times and died instantly. An assistant of the councilwoman who was also in the car survived with minor injuries.
Franco's murder shocked Brazil, prompting marches in several cities in protest against her death.
The councilwoman was in her first term in the municipal legislature, but was regarded as somewhat of a rising star. She was rumored to have been considering running for vice-governor of Rio state in the elections to be held in October.
The police's work has been under scrutiny due to the public nature of the case, which has drawn international attention. But so far the case does not seem to be close to a solution.
The police's preliminary investigation indicated that Franco's death was ordered by militia members. However, the police did not manage to present a case against any specific criminal.
The identity of the shooter remains unknown. A fellow councilman who is suspected of involvement with the militia was accused by a witness of ordering Franco's murder, along with a known militia leader in the city, who was jailed for another crime before the murder.
It is believed that Franco was murdered due to her political activism.
She was known for fighting for the rights of the population of Rio's slums, as she was raised in one of the most violent slums in Rio, Complexo da Mare.
Franco was also known for denouncing police violence and racial profiling in the corps, and was active in the fight against the Rio militias, groups of corrupt police officers and firemen organized in gangs.
