Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jun 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248

REPORTER TORTURED, SLAIN BY DRUG LORD, POLICE SAY

An undercover TV journalist reporting on crime and drugs in Rio de 
Janeiro's shantytowns was tortured and put to death with a sword by a drug 
lord who runs his territory like a medieval fiefdom, police said.

Tim Lopes of Globo television was captured June 2 as he tried to infiltrate 
a dance party in northern Rio de Janeiro, where gangs sell drugs and stage 
illicit sex shows.

Lopes, 50, was taken to a nearby shantytown, where he was shot in the feet, 
brutally beaten and killed by drug lord Elias Pereira da Silva, police 
said. Gang members then burned Lopes' body.
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