The Supreme Court stated that the decision was due to the need for security after notification of “illegal monitoring” of Flávio Dino
Blogger Luís Pablo Conceição Almeida, responsible for had cell phones and computers seized by the Federal Police on Tuesday (10.mar.2026). Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court), authorized the operation on March 4. Here’s the (PDF – 9 MB).
Almeida had published texts about the use of a functional vehicle from (Court of Justice of the State of Maranhão) by minister Flávio Dino and his family in Maranhão.
The investigation was opened by Dino. The investigation was distributed to Moraes in connection with the investigation of fake newsopened in 2019 to investigate attacks on the Supreme Court by allies of the former president (PL).
Information about the operation was initially released by the journalist and confirmed by Poder360.
Luís Pablo published a text in November 2025 in which he stated that a car financed by the State Court of Justice was used by Dino and his family in Maranhão. According to the publication, the minister and his family used a vehicle intended for official use by court judges on private trips. The report is no longer on air.
Moraes wrote that “the Federal Police also reported on November 26, 2025, the same blog made another publication in which it published images of the vehicle, indicating effective surveillance, monitoring and monitoring, in addition to pointing out possible access to restricted information, using institutional tools, through the participation of other individuals in the action”.
In the decision, Moraes states that the PF named the blogger as a suspect in the crime of persecution. According to the minister, Luís Pablo would have used “of some state mechanism for the identification and characterization of the vehicles used, which allowed undue exposure related to the security of authorities”.
Moraes transcribes an excerpt from the PF representation in which he says that Luís Pablo “He has already been the target of investigations in which he is suspected of committing extortion for not disclosing information about police operations”.
The rapporteur ordered the Federal Police to take the blogger’s statement. The minister also ordered the hearing of “other agents with whom those being investigated have interacted through incitement and/or co-option to commit the crimes under investigation”. The analysis of the seized electronic material was determined.
On his blog, Luís Pablo that were “work equipment used in journalistic activities was seized, such as computers and cell phones”. He also stated that “awaits full access to the files to fully understand the basis of the decision”.
The OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) of Maranhão stated that the action ordered by the Supreme Court causes “institutional concern”. In a statement signed by the Freedom of Expression and Press Commission, the body also mentions the “preservation of source confidentiality and protection of the free professional exercise of the activity”.
WHAT THE SUPREME SAYS
After criticism of the operation from various sectors, the Supreme Court’s press office stated that “the question under investigation” derived from the need to determine “illegal monitoring” of procedures by minister Flávio Dino. The note mentions the publication of license plates of vehicles used by minister Flávio Dino.
Here is the full note:
“We inform that the institutional security of minister Flávio Dino was alerted in 2025 about an illegal monitoring procedure for his movements in São Luís. There was publication of license plates of vehicles used by the minister, number of agents and names of security agents, and other details. This material was sent to the Federal Police and the Attorney General’s Office, followed by the establishment of the appropriate investigative procedure. Therefore, the issue under investigation derives from the need to investigate the aforementioned illegal monitoring of the security procedures of the minister Flávio Dino.
“The matter has no correlation with crimes against honor or freedom of expression or investigation into fake news.
“Security vehicles are used by the STF, in collaboration with the Courts, based on the following standards:
- Law No. 12,694/2012, in particular article 9, §1, item II, as well as Resolution No. 721/STF, article 5, item I, paragraph “a”, and
- Resolution No. 435 of the CNJ, which regulates cooperation between the institutional security bodies of the Judiciary, especially article 19, sole paragraph.”
Despite the mention of the Fake News investigation in the decision, the Court declared that the matter has no correlation with the case. THE Poder360 contacted the Supreme Court to ask if the court would like to comment on the possible contradiction, but did not receive a response until the publication of this report. The text will be updated if a statement is sent to this digital newspaper.
