Restriction of drone overflight was motivated by reports from the PMDF, which identified the irregular use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flying over the residence
Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) determined this Thursday (2) the expansion of the radius prohibiting drone overflight around the residence where former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) is under house arrest.
The restriction on drone flights was motivated by reports from the Military Police of the Federal District (PMDF), which identified the irregular use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flying over Bolsonaro’s residence, in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood, in Brasília.
Moraes understood that the distance initially set at 100 meters was inadequateas PM reports indicated that drones could still capture images of the house and compromise privacy and restrictions imposed by the minister
“This is because the technological development of remotely piloted aircraft makes it possible to capture high-resolution images and data at much greater distances, allowing detailed observation of private environments and compromising the effectiveness of the protective measure”, writes Moraes in the decision.
In the decision, the minister authorized the Military Police to immediately shoot down and seize any drone that violates the imposed limit. Irregular aircraft operators must be arrested red-handed, based on the Penal Code, for violating air transport safety.
Bolsonaro is under humanitarian house arrest to recover from bronchopneumonia. He was sentenced last year to 27 years and three months in prison for attempting a coup d’état to remain in power after the 2022 elections.
According to the Military Police of the Federal District, limiting the prohibition space to just 100 meters does not resolve security risks well. This is because it would still be possible to use drones to monitor the location, collect sensitive information or even plan illegal actions.
“Thus, in light of the principles of effectiveness of jurisdictional measures and proportionality between means and purpose, the recommendation of the BAVOP (Battalion of Police and Aviation Operation) to expand the restriction perimeter to a minimum radius of 1 kilometer is appropriate, compatible with the operational reality and with the level of protection required in the specific case”
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
