Politics · Brazil · 6 hrs ago
São Paulo governor reinstates dismissal of officer in Leandro Lo case
São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas reinstated the dismissal of police lieutenant Henrique Velozo on Wednesday.
Velozo was dismissed over the 2022 shooting death of jiu-jitsu champion Leandro Lo in São Paulo.
A jury acquitted Velozo in November 2025, accepting his defence’s claim that he acted in self-defence.
But a separate military disciplinary process found him responsible, and a final court decision upheld the dismissal.
The governor’s latest order restores the penalty after an earlier measure temporarily suspended it.
Velozo’s defence says it disagrees and plans to seek his reinstatement once the criminal case is final.
The prosecution has also appealed the acquittal, and that appeal has not yet been decided.
São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas reinstated the dismissal of military police lieutenant Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo.
The decision was published in the state’s Official Gazette on Wednesday, October 21, following a final ruling by the São Paulo Court of Justice.
Velozo was dismissed in September 2025, but a court decision temporarily suspended the dismissal the following month.
A jury acquitted Velozo in November 2025 after accepting his self-defense argument; the criminal acquittal is under appeal.
Velozo’s defense said it respects the governor’s decision but disagrees and plans legal action after the criminal case ends.
- Who
- São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas reinstated the dismissal of police lieutenant Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo.
- What
- The lieutenant’s dismissal from the Military Police was restored.
- When
- The decree was published on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- São Paulo state, Brazil.
- Why
- The measure followed a final ruling by the São Paulo Court of Justice upholding the penalty.
São Paulo state government
Velozo’s defense
Dismissal
São Paulo state government
The government restored the dismissal after the courts upheld the disciplinary penalty.
Velozo’s defense
The defense says the dismissal should not stand because the jury found Velozo acted in self-defense.
Next steps
São Paulo state government
The decree gives effect to the court decisions on the disciplinary process.
Velozo’s defense
The defense says it will pursue legal measures to overturn the dismissal and reinstate Velozo after the criminal case is final.
A decree ordered Velozo’s dismissal from the Military Police.
A decree temporarily suspended the dismissal after a preliminary court decision.
A jury acquitted Velozo, accepting the defense’s self-defense argument.
The governor restored the dismissal after a final ruling by the São Paulo Court of Justice.
- Governor
- Tarcísio de Freitas
- Officer
- Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo
- Publication date
- October 21, 2026
- Victim
- Leandro Lo, jiu-jitsu world champion
- Jury acquittal
- November 2025
- Court
- São Paulo Court of Justice
3 sources
What people are saying
The defense respects this decision, but does not agree with it.
We understand that there are grounds capable of annulling the jury trial. On the merits, the decision deserves no better fate, as it is manifestly contrary to the evidence in the case. Only a new trial will restore the justice this case deserves.
The recognition of self-defense restored the truth and achieved justice.