The police of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have conducted an operation to arrest recruiters of the Ukrainian battalion «Azov» and local neo-Nazis who were planning to travel to Donbass, said one of the heads of the investigations, the head of the departments to combat neo-Nazi organizations in the city of Alegri, Paulo César Jardim.

The number of detainees is not yet revealed, but it is known that detentions were carried out simultaneously in eight cities, including the capital city of Porto Alegre state. It is also known that the recruiters came to the south of Brazil from Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Now they are released because of the peculiarities of the Brazilian justice system, but the investigation continues.

‘About 10 months ago, we received information that the people of Ukraine and other Eastern European countries had come here to recruit members of neo-Nazi groups to the battalion «Azov» and send them to Ukraine. Many people were arrested and gave evidence. We have alreadycollected evidence,’ said Paulo César Jardim.

According to him, ‘now these people (recruiters) are released since the arrest in Brazil can be produced only in two situations: when a crime is being committed or with a court warrant’.

‘We were not able to arrest them in the act, and the warrant was only to detain them for questioning and to prevent possible actions in the future. I follow quite simple rule: it is a lot easier and safer for everyone to prevent something than to prevent the effects, pain and tragedy,’ explained the policeman.

The officer also said that within the framework of the operation called «Azov», there were arrested Brazilian neo-Nazis who had been wanted for other crimes. During the operation, there were seized computers, documents and Nazi propaganda.

According to: Новости Донецкой Республики