Ten members of the UPP (Pacifying Police Units) created to regain state control of favelas run by drug lords ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, have been charged with torturing and murdering of Mr Souza.

Among those indicted is the commander of the UPP in Rocinha, Edson dos Santos.

CEOAFRICA gathered that four of those charged took Mr Souza to the police post where he was questioned prior to his disappearance. They said the other five were on duty at the police post to which Mr Souza was taken.

Report said that Mr Souza was epileptic and died during a questioning session in which he was tortured.

Prosecutors are now looking into the police report and are expected to ask a judge to order the arrest of the 10 police officers.

The officers say they released Mr Souza and that they had nothing to do with his subsequent disappearance.

Their alleged involvement in Mr Souza's disappearance has led to protests in Rio and other cities both in Brazil and abroad.