Organized Crime CPI: senators criticize STF for releasing Ibaneis from going

The struggle between the Legislative Branch and the Federal Supreme Court (STF) gained a new chapter this Tuesday (07). Members of Organized Crime CPI reacted with harsh criticism to recent Court decisions which, according to parliamentarians, they are “making investigative work unfeasible” and emptying the prerogatives of the National Congress.

The climate of dissatisfaction dominated the opening of the commission meeting, led by the president, senator Fabiano Contaratoand by the rapporteur, senator Alessandro Vieira. The senators’ discontent focuses on two main movements in the Judiciary:

• The absence of Ibaneis Rocha: Minister André Mendonça granted a habeas corpus that exempted the governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha, from attending the CPI. Ibaneis had been called as a witness, but the court decision allowed his absence, frustrating the rapporteur’s plans.

• Financial secrecy: Rapporteur Alessandro Vieira also took aim at minister Alexandre de Moraes, who restricted the sharing of financial reports from the COAF with investigative committees. According to Vieira, the control body is being “threatened” by the decision, which hinders the tracking of illicit financial flows.