247 - The First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court unanimously decided, this Saturday (15), to transform federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) into a defendant for the crime of coercion in the course of the process. The case is being processed in the Court's virtual plenary and may still receive changes until Wednesday (25).
Justice Cármen Lúcia sided with the rapporteur, Alexandre de Moraes, whose position opened the voting. Subsequently, Flávio Dino joined the vote, followed by Cristiano Zanin, who consolidated the majority.
In his vote, Moraes stated that"there is proof of the materiality and reasonable and sufficient evidence of authorship in the conduct of Eduardo Nantes Bolsonaro." The minister also highlighted that the congressman, who moved to the United States in March, began defending measures taken by the government of the current US president, Donald Trump, in retaliation for the trial that convicted Jair Bolsonaro (PL) for attempted coup d'état.
According to Moraes, the alleged coercion occurred through"the orchestration and obtaining of sanctions from the United States government, with the application of export tariffs to Brazil, the suspension of entry visas for several Brazilian authorities in the United States, and the application of the effects of the Magnitsky Act to this reporting minister."
The Attorney General's Office also considered the acts attributed to the deputy to be serious. According to Attorney General Paulo Gonet, the"accused repeatedly endeavored to subordinate the interests of the Republic and the entire community to his own personal and family designs."
The complaint follows the terms of article 344 of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of 1 to 4 years for anyone who uses violence or serious threats with the aim of influencing judicial, administrative, police, or arbitration proceedings. In the case of recidivism or repeated conduct, as the prosecution points out, the penalties may be aggravated.
This episode is part of the same investigation that led to the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Although he is not formally charged in this case, the former president had precautionary measures violated and is awaiting the start of his 27-year and 3-month sentence for the coup plot.
