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May 29, 2019

55 Prisoners Killed After Fighting Breaks Out in Brazilian Prisons
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In Brazil, at least 55 prisoners were killed as fights broke out across
four prisons in the northwestern state of Amazonas. Fifteen prisoners
were found dead Sunday, and 40 on Monday, in what authorities say were
gang-related riots. The deaths were caused by strangulation and
stabbing. Leaders of the suspected gangs are being transferred to
maximum-security prisons.
Brazil has the third-largest prison population in the world. According
to a local human rights group, one of the prisons where riots broke out
was housing more than twice its prisoner capacity. President Jair
Bolsonaro, who campaigned on a law-and-order platform, has said he would
"stuff prison cells with criminals."


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