A former military police lieutenant awaiting trial for the 2022 passing of renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Leandro Lo has successfully overturned his dismissal from the São Paulo Military Police force through a legal appeal.
Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo will now be reinstated to the force, securing his right to continue residing at the Romão Gomes military prison and receiving his monthly salary of approximately $2,400 USD. The judicial decision temporarily halts the effects of a dismissal decree that Governor Tarcísio de Freitas signed last September.
The governor’s decree, which appeared in the State Official Gazette, had formalized Velozo’s removal from the police force following a unanimous ruling by the Military Court of Justice (TJM-SP). That court determined his actions were
“dishonorable”
and
“incompatible with the military police function.”
Velozo’s legal team successfully argued through a writ of mandamus that their client retains the rights and benefits of a military police officer while appeals remain possible. The Military Court of Justice’s decision has not reached finality with two additional appeals still available under Brazilian law. The defense’s argument draws support from Supreme Federal Court precedents establishing that salary payments must continue until a conviction becomes final based on the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.
The favorable injunction ensures Velozo remains at Romão Gomes prison in northern São Paulo, a facility designated exclusively for active and reserve law enforcement officers. Prosecutors had previously sought his transfer to a standard penitentiary but the appeal has suspended those proceedings pending final judgment.
Velozo faces charges of triple-qualified intentional homicide in connection with Leandro Lo’s passing, which occurred in August 2022 at the Sírio Club in São Paulo’s southern zone. The charges include aggravating factors of vile motive, use of methods that impeded the athlete’s ability to defend himself, and creation of common danger.
The jury trial was originally scheduled for August but was postponed following disputes among the defense, prosecution and the athlete’s family members. Court proceedings are now set to resume on November 12, 13 and 14.
Leandro Lo was celebrated internationally as a multiple-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with numerous titles to his name before his untimely passing at age 33.
