Brazil TV host 'staged killings' to boost ratings

Wallace Souza was in prison because the police seized illegal ammunition from his house. His son and some members of the police was arrested on suspicion of working for Souza.

The right-wing elected official to be in the dock for having staged crime scenes to enhance the reputation of his show "Canal Live" aired in the Amazons state.

Souza, a former policeman expelled from Brazil's civilian police body, is also accused of smuggling weapons and ammunition, but he denies all accusations. Fifteen people suspected of having participated in Souza's regime have been arrested so far.

But Amazon public security secretary Francisco Cavalier said that they had strong evidence that shows many of the planned several crimes as broadcast on his show.
"At several occasions the fact finished manufactured news," he said.
Retired policeman Moacir da Costa told the police that he had helped stage at least a murder ordered by Souza for his on TV.

Apart from crime scenes Souza shows dramatic police raids and arrests of the program, which earned him enormous popularity, both as host and actor.Investigator seized some $ 175,000 dollars, illegal firearms and ammunition from a safe in the Souza house. His son, Rafael Souza, was also arrested for transporting illegal ammunition in his private car.

Public prosecutor Fabio Montevideo said Souza had been accused of smuggling weapons and gang formation."I have pressed charges against him in court for carrying illegal weapons and form a gang," he told journalists.

Prosecutors, police commanders and judges involved in the case have been offered a permanent police protection after receiving threats.
Souza attorney, Francisco Balieiro, said the police had failed to give evidence against his client.

"So far no one has presented any technical evidence, none," he said.
Souza's brothers who work as producer on his show, said all the crime scene video was genuine.