General Augusto Heleno’s defense informed the Federal Supreme Court that the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was only finalized in January 2025. The statement was sent after minister Alexandre de Moraes demanded documents proving when the disease began to be registered.
The clarification contradicts the Army’s report, produced during the forensic examination, which stated that Heleno had been living with the disease since 2018. According to lawyer Matheus Milanez, during that period the general only had medical follow-up, and not a confirmed diagnosis.
He argues that the general has cognitive limitations and may have gotten confused when answering questions about dates during the exam.
Continues after advertising
Moraes ordered the defense to deliver, within five days, all exams, neuropsychological reports, medical records and medical information produced since 2018. He also asked for details about the general’s treatment and professionals responsible for monitoring.
The judge also questioned why, if the disease had existed since 2018, the then minister did not communicate his health status to the Presidency bodies during the period in which he commanded the GSI.
In the response, the defense states that there was no diagnosis at the time and that, therefore, there was no information to be communicated. He also says that he did not mention the medical condition during the process because he believed in the acquittal and because the condition would not be related to the facts investigated.
Heleno, 78 years old, began serving his sentence this week after being . The Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, spoke out in favor of the soldier serving his sentence at home for humanitarian reasons.
