Jiu-jitsu instructor Melqui Galvao has been transferred to a civil police prison in the northern part of Sao Paulo following his arrest in Manaus last week. Galvao faces charges of SAing a 17-year-old athlete during a jiu-jitsu competition held in Italy in February.
Galvao was handed over to Sao Paulo police at Guarulhos International Airport, where he was met by relatives of one of the young women who came forward with allegations against him.
The young woman, who trained at one of Galvao’s gyms in Sao Paulo, sought help at the Women’s Defense Police Station. What ultimately led to Galvao’s arrest were messages he sent to the young woman’s parents, in which he addressed the incident directly.
“I didn’t put my hand under your daughter’s butt. Sofia was lying down, her belly was showing, and I touched her belly. I touched her quickly; I thought she had been asleep for about three seconds, maybe at most,” Galvao wrote in the messages.
Reports also indicate that Galvao offered financial advantages to those involved in exchange for their silence.
On the eve of his arrest, Galvao traveled to Manaus, where he turned himself in to authorities. Though he resided in Jundiai, he held an active police officer position. He was removed from that position following the first complaint made against him.
At least three additional athletes have since come forward, stating that they were also assaulted by Galvao in Manaus. A spokesperson for those involved expressed the need for accountability.
“He should truly be punished for all the harm he has done to all the people who have come forward, who have already denounced him, who are already in the media, and those who have not yet spoken out of fear,” the spokesperson said.
Galvao, who is the father of jiu-jitsu world champion Mica Galvao, is currently being held at the Civil Police prison in northern Sao Paulo. Officers from the Women’s Defense Police Station plan to interview additional witnesses before formally interrogating Galvao, a process expected to begin the following week.
