CNN
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Brazil UK ambassador apologizes to missing journalist’s family dom phillips When they were told wrongly that two bodies were found in the search operation.
Phillips’ family told CNN in an email that Fred Aruda, Brazil’s ambassador to London, wrote to them on Tuesday, saying: “We are deeply sorry that the information the embassy provided to the family yesterday did not prove to be accurate.”
According to the family, the deputy chief of mission at the Brazilian embassy in London, Roberto Doring, called them on Monday to inform them that the bodies had been found.
In a statement, the family said: “We were told by telephone that two bodies had been found, but (due to the fact that it was still morning in Brazil) there was no identification.”
Brazil’s federal police looking for Phillips and Brazilian researcher Bruno Pereira have repeatedly denied any bodies were found, and on Monday evening, they said the day’s search had ended “but nothing was found.”
“The information being released about the bodies of Mr. Bruno Pereira and Mr. Dom Phillips is not accurate,” federal police said. “As previously disclosed, biological material was found and is being investigated, as well as personal belongings of the missing. As soon as anything is found, the family and the media will be notified immediately.
Indigenous organizations involved in the search also said that the information about both the bodies was wrong.
On Monday, Pereira’s wife Beatriz Matos said on Twitter that police had told her family that “no one was found.”
“It is necessary to understand where the ambassador got this information,” Matos wrote.
On Tuesday, police arrested a second suspect in connection with the couple’s disappearance, according to a federal police press release. The first suspect was arrested last week.
Police said the second suspect, a 41-year-old man, is being questioned and will be sent to a municipal court for a custodial hearing. He also said that he has seized some shotgun cartridges and a paddle, which will be analysed.
Aruda said in his email to Phillips’ family that officials close to the investigation had “misled” embassy staff.
“On reflection, there was rain on behalf of the multi-agency team, for which I sincerely apologize,” he said, adding that “the search operation will continue, without any effort. Our thoughts Dom, Bruno, myself.” And both are with other members of the families.”
In a statement sent to CNN, Brazil’s foreign ministry also confirmed its ambassador’s apology for passing on “false information”.
Phillips and Pereira went missing on 5 June during a Journey to the Jawri ValleyIn the far western part of the state of Amazonas.
They were researching for a book project on conservation efforts in the region, which officials have described as “complicated” and “dangerous” and known to harbor illegal miners, loggers and international drug dealers. goes.