Rio de Janeiro (CNN) Brazilian police are searching for at least 30 people suspected in the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old girl and of posting graphic video and images of her on social media that have shocked the South American country.
The perpetrators put up pictures and a video of the girl on Twitter, sparking a nationwide backlash. The incident occurred in a Rio de Janeiro slum over the weekend.
At a press conference Friday, police said they had identified four people who were involved, including one man who appeared in the video, the girl’s boyfriend and two people who were heard on the video.
Police said they had not spoken yet to those identified and had not issued arrest warrants as the investigation continues. They are investigating not only rape allegations but also possible violations of Brazil’s Internet laws.
“The extreme violence we’re dealing (with) has shocked everyone. It even shocked the police,” said Fernando Veloso, the head of the civil police in Rio de Janeiro.
Interim President Michel Temer condemned what happened and called for an emergency meeting of security chiefs from all of Brazil’s states on Tuesday.
“It is absurd that still in the 21st century we have to live with barbaric crimes like this,” Temer said.
