STANG ASSASSINATION - SUSPECTED MASTERMIND RELEASED FROM

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001321 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC KCRM PHUM SOCI BR SUBJECT: STANG ASSASSINATION - SUSPECTED MASTERMIND RELEASED FROM PRETRIAL CUSTODY REF: A) BRASILIA 914 B) 05 BRASILIA 369 B) 05 BRASILIA 464 C) 05 BRASILIA 532 D) 05 BRASILIA 606 E) 05 BRASILIA 821 ¶1. Regivaldo Pereira Galvao, one of two ranchers accused of orchestrating the murder of Dorothy Stang, was granted release from prison on June 29. Brazil's 1st Circuit Supreme Federal Court (STF) in a three-to-two vote, granted Galvao's habeas corpus request and ordered him immediately discharged. This vote overturns a STF decision from September 2005 which denied Galvao's release on the grounds of public safety. The current decision reflects the court's judgment that he is neither a threat to public safety or a flight risk. Galvao has been in prison, awaiting trial since April 7, 2005; although, the Para State Justice Tribunal, which will try Galvao, has yet to set a date for the proceedings. Members of Stang's family were notably upset with the verdict and decried what they view as an opportunity for Galvao to go into hiding and/or influence potential witnesses before the trial. CHICOLA