SERNIC denies involvement of police officer in IURD robbery

Maputo, 23 Jul (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has denied the alleged involvement of a police officer in the robbery of six million meticais (about 94,000 US dollars, at the current exchange rate), which belonged to the Brazilian Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD).

The denial follows images circulating on social media pointing to the involvement and arrest of one police officer for his involvement in the theft, on July 15, in central Maputo.

The SERNIC spokesperson in Maputo city, Hilário Lole, cited in a press release, said that he was unaware of the origin of the information and images circulating on social networks pointing to the involvement and arrest of one of his agents. The police, he said, is working to ascertain the origin of this information.

“We can’t specify the exact origin of the information circulating on social media, but we, as SERNIC, are following the news via social media, reporting the neutralization of an agent who took part in the robbery of money belonging to IURD”, he said.

He explained that that so far there have been no arrests in connection with the crime.

“We have checked our database and there is no agent with the characteristics of the individual in the image. We completely distance ourselves from the rumors circulating on social media, and the alleged perpetrator is not a member of the Mozambican Police.”

“SERNIC is working closely with other agencies to identify the vehicles used in the crime. The case in question is under investigation and so far there have been no arrests. The authorities are continuing to work to neutralize the perpetrators of the crime and bring them to justice”, he said.

(AIM)

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