The Federal Police launched on Monday (9) Operation Marco Zero, which investigates the alleged simulation of a kidnapping involving candidates for mayor and councilor of the municipality of Senador José Bento, in southern Minas Gerais, during the municipal elections of 2024.
According to the investigation, the candidates themselves would have forged the crime with the help of third parties, to generate commotion and obtain electoral advantage on the eve of the election. The case occurred on the night of October 3, 2024, the eve of the first round.
The PF served ten court orders, eight search and seizure and two of temporary arrest, in the municipalities of Congonhal, Senator José Bento, Ibitiura de Minas, Andradas and Siqueira Campos. The names of the investigated have not yet been disclosed.
On the date of the alleged kidnapping, the car used by the candidates was found with marks of fire in a rural region of Senador José Bento. The vehicle had been rented for the campaign.
Hours later, the two politicians were located with minor injuries on a highway in the interior of São Paulo. At the time, the case generated strong local repercussion and commotion among voters – a reaction that now the suspicion has been intentionally caused to influence the outcome of the election.
The investigation began in the Minas Gerais Civil Police, which referred the inquiry to the PF by identifying elements of electoral crime. The court authorized temporary arrests as part of the steps to clarify the plot.
Continues after advertising
Electoral Manipulation and Disinformation
The case adds to other recent investigations involving use of misinformation, scam and emotional manipulation of the electoral to obtain electoral advantage.
Operation Marco Zero follows in progress and may result in criminal actions for ideological falsehood, false communication of crime and electoral crime, among other infractions.
