Ex-goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza, convicted of murdering Eliza Samudio, has five days to appear before Rio de Janeiro's Penitentiary Council to formalize his conditional release, or face imprisonment. The ruling followed his absence from a court hearing and sighting at a Flamengo match. His defense disputes the Public Prosecutor's report, claiming conditions have been met.
Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza, former Flamengo goalkeeper convicted to 23 years and one month in prison for qualified homicide, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and bodily injury in the 2010 Eliza Samudio case, has been summoned by Rio de Janeiro's Penal Executions Court. Judge Rafael Estrela Nóbrega ordered him to personally appear before the Penitentiary Council within five days to perform the Ceremony Term and formalize the conditional release granted in January 2023, under penalty of issuing an arrest warrant.
The measure responds to a request from the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office, which claims Bruno could not be located to sign the mandatory term under the Penal Execution Law, and that the situation was only officially communicated in January 2026, over three years after the granting. The MP argues the benefit did not legally perfect and seeks revocation for failure to meet semi-open regime conditions.
Bruno's defense counters, stating the Prosecutor's report is 'completely wrong' and that the only requirement was quarterly signature at a designated location, which has been regularly fulfilled. The lawyers note he has already served three-quarters of the sentence, with an expected end date of January 8, 2031.
The case drew attention after Bruno was spotted at Maracanã Stadium on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, watching the Flamengo vs. Internacional match in the Brazilian Championship. He posted photos on Instagram with a Flamengo flag, writing: 'How much I missed this place.' Criminal law experts, like Marcelo Almeida, explain that the summons reaffirms commitment to the State, and it is unlikely he will return to semi-open regime if he meets the deadline. The judge also suspended the sentence fulfillment count from granting until formalization.
According to the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, Bruno underwent transfers between states in 2021 due to job offers in football, but the penal execution was transferred to Rio, maintaining semi-open. In 2023, conditional release was granted, but summonses returned negative, preventing the ceremony.
