The MPF (Federal Public Prosecution Service) filed the inquiry that investigated if the former president () bothered a
According to prosecutor Maria Rezende Capucci, who signs the document, the investigation made it clear that Bolsonaro approached the animal more than allowed, but was not shown to bother him.
“This intention in the case under analysis, even if it may have existed, was not sufficiently demonstrated by the elements gathered in the investigation justifying the beginning of criminal prosecution,” he said.
With this, the prosecutor determined the filing of the case, which was often shared by supporters of the former president to illustrate what they claim to be political persecution to him.
“[As razões da linha de defesa] They showed, at the same time, the absurdity of that calculation and the mobilization of the state machine towards an episode clearly without any legal repercussions, but, in the meantime, was widely explored by the political environment, “said lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno, who defends the former president.
Bolsonaro published a charge on the social network when reposing the statement of his lawyer. In the image there is a whale in a court, of suit.
In a statement, the MPF said that the absence of intent and the consequent filing of the procedure do not exempt the former president of administrative sanctions, as the requirements for configuring a criminal offense are distinct.
“It is in this context that Ibama [Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis]correctly, he has administered administratively those involved in disrespecting rules of the body that establish rules for whale observation, “he said.
According to the Federal Public Prosecution Service, if new evidence appear, nothing prevents criminal investigation from being reopened.
The episode took place in June 2023, and the former president testified to PF in February last year. At the time I told West magazine that it spotted a group of vessels, approached, saw whale “15, 20 or 30 meters” in front of him, but left his jet skiing and left the scene. “I have no pleasure in seeing whale around,” he said, saying he waited for the inquiry.
The investigation found possible environmental crimes provided for by law, on whale “intentional molestation”. The action was opened after circulating Jet-Ski Videos with engine connected approaching the jubart.
Prior to the decision to archive the case, the Federal Prosecutor had stated that the water motorcycle would have been 15 meters from the whale. Videos and photos released on social networks would prove the information, according to prosecutor Marília Soares Ferreira Ifim. The driver was driving the vehicle to an inadequate distance and still recorded with the cell phone, according to the MPF.
Bolsonaro became a defendant last week at the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for joining a coup plot. The minister, two days later, on Friday (28), filed the inquiry involving former President () and investigates.
The rapporteur of the case accepted a request made by the Attorney General, on Thursday (27) on the grounds of the absence of sufficient elements to justify the accountability of the former president.
It still weighs against the former president the case of the jewelry, which is under analysis by PGR. Bolsonaro was indicted by the PF on suspicion of criminal association crimes (expected to be imprisoned from 1 to 3 years), money laundering (3 to 10 years) and embezzlement/appropriation of public good (2 to 12 years).
