Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court (STF) threatened to arrest former defense minister Aldo Rebelo during a statement last week as a witness in the process investigating the attempted coup d’état attributed to former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies. The video of the audience, until then under secrecy, was released on Tuesday (3).
The tension occurred after Rebelo answered a question about Admiral Almir Garnier, former Navy commander and one of the defendants in the criminal action. Garnier’s lawyer questioned Rebelo if, in his assessment, the military would be able to mobilize the navy troops on his own, seeking to dismiss the unilateral adhesion thesis to the coup plan.
“I’m available” is not literal, says Rebelo
Aldo Rebelo argued that expressions such as “I am available,” attributed to Garnier, should not be interpreted literally. “In the Portuguese language, we know what is often used as an expression force. When someone says ‘I’m fried’, it doesn’t mean it’s inside a skillet. When it says ‘it’s tight’, it doesn’t mean it’s under literal pressure,” he said.
The answer annoyed Moraes, who interrupted him:
“Were you present at the meeting when Admiral Garnier used this expression?”
“No,” replied Rebelo.
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– So you are unable to evaluate the Portuguese language at that time. Attach yourself to the facts, ”said the minister.
“I don’t admit censorship”
Rebelo reacted immediately:
– First, my appreciation of the Portuguese language is personal, and I do not admit censorship.
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The exchange raised the tone of the audience. Moraes threatened:
“If you do not behave, you will be arrested for contempt.”
“I’m behaving,” Rebelo replied.
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“Then behave and answer the question.” Witness cannot attribute value to the question, but it has all the freedom to make a tactical answer – concluded Moraes.
Aldo Rebelo was Minister of Defense between 2015 and 2016, during the Dilma Rousseff government, and worked directly with Almir Garnier, who worked as a special military advisor to the portfolio.
The testimony is part of the instruction of the process of the “core 1” of the coup plot, which investigates military and top members of the Bolsonaro government by articulations to prevent the inauguration of President -elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
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The release of the videos of witnesses ‘testimonials occurs amid growing expectation by the defendants’ interrogations, scheduled for June 9. Former President Jair Bolsonaro will be heard in the final stage of this phase of the process.
