Prosecutors in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul (MPRS) charged 15 fans of Internacional on Friday (28) over the beating of a Grêmio supporter in Porto Alegre, G1 reported. The charges were filed with the city's 3rd Jury Court (3ª Vara do Júri), the court that handles intentional crimes against life in Brazil. According to the prosecution, ten of those charged will answer for attempted qualified homicide.

Timeline of the case

The attack took place in March this year, on the day of a Gre-Nal, the derby between Grêmio and Internacional, in a match of the Campeonato Gaúcho, the state championship, after a clash between members of rival organized fan groups, Rádio Guaíba reported. According to the investigation, the victim was chased by the attackers and caught on Rua Terezinha Turcato, in the Costa e Silva neighborhood. In August, Inter fans were arrested as suspects in the attempted homicide of the Grêmio supporter, as CNN Brasil reported on August 13. The formal charges came this Friday, nearly six months after the crime.

According to the MPRS, the man was hit with punches, kicks and blows from pieces of wood, suffering injuries considered serious. He spent 21 days in a coma. Prosecutors argue that he did not die because he received medical care quickly.

Aggravating factors and other charges

The complaint lists three qualifying circumstances for the attempted homicide: a futile motive, tied to fan rivalry; cruel means, given the violence used; and the use of a resource that hindered the victim's defense, since the attack allegedly involved numerical superiority of the aggressors. All 15 suspects were also charged with taking part in a fan brawl, criminal association and corruption of a minor, because, according to the investigation, a teenager took part in the beating alongside the group.

Also according to the prosecution, those involved were part of an association dedicated to violent acts linked to the rivalry between organized fan groups. Investigators say the group used messaging apps to exchange information, monitor members of rival groups, organize movements and plan attacks. Prosecutors also asked the court to set a minimum compensation amount to repair the damage caused to the victim.

The charges do not amount to a conviction: the 15 people charged are presumed innocent unless a court rules otherwise, and they will have the right to a full defense. It is now up to the judge of the 3rd Jury Court to review the complaint and decide whether to accept it, which would formally turn the suspects into defendants. If they are indicted for attempted homicide, the case will go to a jury trial. No date has been set for that decision.