Minister João Otávio de Noronha, of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), authorized the return of cell phones, computers, vehicles and jewelry seized by the Federal Police in operation 18 minutes, which aims suspicions of corruption in the Court of Maranhão.
The decision was made after the investigation is completed. The PF indicated three judges and two judges for alleged participation in procedural frauds in exchange for bribes.
The minister justified that, by the end of the inquiry and the testing phase, the retention of goods is no longer necessary. “Investigative steps have achieved their purpose, allowing the findings to advance without the need to perpetuate precautionary measures that imply the aggravation of the situation of the investigated,” says an excerpt from the decision.
Noronha mentions that the Penal Code ensures the restitution of items seized in the criminal investigation “whenever its usefulness for the investigative process”.
“Precautionary measures cannot be passed on early penalties and should remain strictly linked to the procedural or investigative purpose that justified their decree,” the minister added.
Added, the goods seized and the money blocked in the operation 18 minutes totaled more than $ 29 million. The initial order of blocking was $ 17 million. This was another reason that led the minister to release objects and vehicles.
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“Considering the seized values, which will be maintained, I understand that the maintenance of goods such as phones, computers, laptops, vehicles and jewelry finds no justification at the present time.”
The decision on the return of assets to the magistrates was initially reported by the right and order portal and confirmed by Estadão.
The operation investigated a corruption and fraud scheme in the lightning release of permits to pay attorney’s fees of major amounts. The name 18 minutes named the investigation because this was the time that took place between a judicial authorization and the survey of great sum with the bank.
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The PF indicted the judges Luiz Gonzaga Almeida Filho, Nelma Celeste Souza Silva Sarney, sister-in-law of former President Jose Sarney, and Antonio Pacheco Guerreiro Junior and two first judges. THE Estadão has already requested manifestation of the magistrates. The space remains open
