Ana Hickmann speaks after criticism of the Eloá case shown on Linha Direta

The first episode of Globo’s new version of Linha Direta has already created controversy. This Friday (5), Ana Hickman spoke through her press office, lamenting the way in which the Eloá Pimentel case was conducted, in 2008. The presenter apologized for having asked Lindemberg Alves or one of his victims (Eloá and Nayara) held captive waved at the cameras during a live stream. At the time, she commanded the program Hoje em Dia, on Record.

“Ana Hickmann, through her press office, regrets the way in which the Eloá case was conducted in 2008. The presenter recognizes the erroneous attitude she committed at the time, and apologizes to the victims and their families”, informed the text in the note. The statement also highlights the threats that the businesswoman began to suffer shortly after the episode aired.

“The presenter has been receiving death threats through social networks. The hate messages awakened emotional triggers, triggered after the attack she suffered in 2016, in Belo Horizonte. Ana Hickmann reaffirms her apology and asks for respect at this time”.

Hickmann’s attitude was remembered by internet users after a prosecutor spoke about the participation of the press in the Eloá case. He even mentioned that “a television presenter put herself in the position of negotiator”, without naming names. On social networks, the public understood that he was talking about Sonia Abrão, who even interviewed Lindemberg live. Recently, the journalist said that she “would do it all over again”.

Eloá Pimentel was 15 years old when she was kept in private prison for five days in the apartment where she lived in a housing complex in Santo André, on ABC Paulista, by her ex-boyfriend. The kidnapping had great repercussions and some programs even broadcast the entire police drama live. After several negotiations, the Special Tactical Actions Group (Gate) blew up the door to the property and stopped Lindemberg. Before the PM entered, he managed to shoot Nayara and shot Eloá twice, who was taken to the hospital, but did not resist.

Linha Direta reconstructed the Eloá case with reports from the time, interviews and simulations. During the program, presenter Pedro Bial spoke with Simone Duarte, neighboring Eloá’s family, with the prosecutor, Antonio Nobre Folgado, who analyzed the unfolding of events, and with Captain Adriano Giovanini, the negotiator of the Special Tactics Actions Group (GATE).