Hélio Ferreira Lima stated that the file called “Spindle Operation” was a hypothetical study; He denied involvement in the institutional rupture plan
Army Lieutenant Colonel Hélio Ferreira Lima said on Monday (28.Jul.2025) to the Supreme Court (Supreme Court) that the document called “Spygot operation”, seized in a USB stick that was in his possession, it was not a coup plan, but a “Prospective scenario study”.
The military was 1 of the 5 prisoners in the PF (Federal Police) Contragolpe Operation, which aimed the so -called “black kids”, suspected of planning to kill the president (PT), his deputy (PSB) and Minister Alexandre de Moraes. He was in criminal action that he investigates after the presidential elections of 2022. According to the PF, the file assigned to Lima described measures to “Re -establish the law and order”suggesting the “Neutralization of the ability to act” of the Supreme, with mentions to Moraes.
Lieutenant Colonel denied that the document was operational. Stated that it was part of analyzes in military manuals and that “It did not establish orders or concrete objectives.”
“It was just a tool for hypothetical projections. It did not contain execution steps and was abandoned in 2 days. I had no ability to turn it into action, it was 2 levels above me in the hierarchy,” he said.
He stated that the scenario described came from the hypothesis (which he classified as “Purely theoretical”) that fraud could be detected at the electronic ballot boxes. He also said that there was no rupture forecast. “Even if a fraud is proven, there was no mention of eliminating authorities or illegal measures”he declared.
In addition to the document, Lima was asked about messaging with Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, former (PL) orders. He confirmed that he passed Cid a file circulating in groups of protesters and discussed the source code of the electronic ballot boxes. However, he stated that he had no intention of stimulating actions against the electoral system:
“I read quickly and sent just saying that it was worth analyzing. I did not ask to disclose, I did not express opinion. Brazil was polarized, and I accompanied the scenario on both sides because I was an intelligence officer.”he said.
According to the military, contact with Cid was intended to try to reduce tensions. He said he accompanied demonstrations in front of barracks in Porto Alegre and sought “To prevent the situation from becoming violent”.
“My dream was that it was over. I wanted the president to send people home before the army was needed. I didn’t want to see soldiers facing protesters wrapped in the Brazilian flag.”these.
Nucleus 3 of the “blow”
According to the complaint of the PGR (Attorney General’s Office), the members of Nucleus 3 would be responsible for “Field Actions” related to the monitoring and neutralization of public authorities. Are also accused of promoting tactical actions for “Convincing and pressuring the Army’s high command to finish the coup”.
The defendants are:
- Bernardo Romão Correa Netto: Army Colonel;
- Fabrício Moreira de Bastos: Army Colonel;
- Márcio Nunes de Resende Jr.: Army Colonel;
- Hélio Ferreira Lima: Army Lieutenant Colonel;
- Rafael Martins de Oliveira: Army Lieutenant Colonel;
- Rodrigo Bezerra de Azevedo: Army Lieutenant Colonel;
- Ronald Ferreira de Araújo Jr.: Army Lieutenant Colonel;
- Sérgio Ricardo Cavaliere de Medeiros: Army Lieutenant Colonel;
- Estevam Theophilo Gaspar de Oliveira: Army Reserve General;
- Wladimir Matos Soares: Federal Police Agent.
Follow the live broadcast of interrogation:
