RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian authorities are negotiating with prisoners who rebelled in an overcrowded northeastern penitentiary, slitting the throats of nine detainees and holding four prison employees hostage.
Maranhao state spokesman Ribamar Cunha says six of the dead were decapitated.
Cunha says Tuesday that one prison employee was shot at the beginning of the standoff that has lasted 24 hours. He’s being treated in a hospital for serious injuries.
Prisoners at the Sao Luis penitentiary are complaining of overcrowding and asking for better water and food. The institution built to house 2,000 prisoners now holds about 4,000.
The head of state security is leading the negotiations with help from legal and human rights advocates.