Minister Gilmar Mendes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), stated this Thursday (21) that the attempted coup, revealed by the Federal Police (PF) against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and other authorities, constitutes “consummated crime”. The statement was made in an interview with journalists at the Brazilian Association of Health Plans event, in São Paulo.
“The attempt to commit any attack against the Rule of Law is, in itself, already criminalized, so that it is already a completed crime. Especially because when an attack against the Rule of Law is committed and it is completed, it no longer exists. It is obvious that what is punished is the attempt to undermine the rule of law”, stated the minister.
Mendes referred to the PF operation carried out last Tuesday (19), and the discovery of an alleged coup d’état plan, which included killing Lula, vice Geraldo Alckmin and minister Alexandre de Moraes. According to the minister, the revelations are “extremely serious and worrying”, and it is necessary to “learn” from this.
“I think we must react judicially, legislatively, and make the necessary reforms so that episodes like this no longer happen again,” said the minister.
Minister criticizes amnesty for those involved in 8/1
Mendes also rejected the idea of amnesty involved in the acts of January 8th. According to him, this possibility does not make sense given the new accusations. “It doesn’t make sense to talk about amnesty,” he said.
Amnesty for 8/1 prisoners was proposed in a bill that awaits deliberation in the Chamber of Deputies. However, the project has faced resistance from government officials and was sent by President Arthur Lira (PP-AL) for analysis by a special commission that was not even installed.
This Wednesday (20), PT asked Lira to shelve the proposal. According to President Lula’s party, the project “is completely inappropriate and inconvenient for the democratic process and national peace”.
