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Protests flare in Rio de Janeiro after dancer killed

Residents of the Rio de Janeiro slum of Paveo-Pavaozinho clashed with police on Tuesday evening after the discovery of a body belonging to a young male dancer. Residents allege the police killed Douglas Rafael da Silva Pareira after mistaking him for a criminal.

By JC Finley
Police and military patrol Maracana Stadium during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2007. (UPI Photo/Heinz Ruckemann)
Police and military patrol Maracana Stadium during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2007. (UPI Photo/Heinz Ruckemann) | License Photo

SAO PAULO, April 23 (UPI) -- Protests flared in the Rio de Janeiro slum of Paveo-Pavaozinho on Tuesday, after a young male dancer was killed.

Residents blame the police for the death, whom they believe mistook the dancer for a criminal.

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Douglas Rafael da Silva Pareira's body was discovered Tuesday morning.

His injuries, Rio's State Security Secretariat tweeted, appeared to have been caused by a fall, and noted that his death was under investigation.

Rio police have undertaken increased "pacification" operations to root out drug gangs from the area slums in the lead up to the World Cup, which will be held in Rio in July.

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