The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, defended this Tuesday (3) the autonomy of the Federal Police (PF) after senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), son of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), accused part of the institution of practicing “political persecution”.
“Today there is a small group within the PF, handpicked by a Supreme Court minister, to persecute not only Bolsonaro, but parliamentarians who oppose the current government”, said the senator in a session of the Senate Public Security Committee without mentioning names. .
According to Flávio, the institution was being used to persecute government opponents and his father, and that this would be “destroying the image of the Federal Police”. “I know that you [Lewandowski] does not agree with the use of the public apparatus for political persecution”, he continued.
The indictments are divided between the investigation investigating an alleged attempted coup d’état, involvement in the case of Saudi jewelry presented to the Brazilian government and later traded in the United States, and for allegedly defrauding his Covid-19 vaccination card.
“Our Federal Police is a republican police, of excellence, respected throughout the world”, responded Lewandowski, citing the PF delegate as secretary general of Interpol, the international police network.
“You can be sure that the targeted investigations are carried out with technique and sobriety, without political bias”, said the head of the Justice department. He also stated that the institution’s investigations are carried out with technique, sobriety and independence. “The police have autonomy. He works independently”, added the minister.
Clarifications to Congress
Ricardo Lewandowski appeared before the Chamber and Senate committees this Tuesday to discuss measures taken by the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Police.
Since taking office, it was the first time that the minister was heard by the Senate. In the Legislative House, senators Sergio Moro (União-PR) and Sérgio Petecão (PSD-AC), the latter president of the collegiate, sent the request for Lewandowski to appear.
Lewandowski today heads the portfolio that was occupied by Flávio Dino, who was appointed to join the Federal Supreme Court (STF).
