A First Panel of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) judges this Tuesday (16) the criminal action against former federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP)accused of trying to influence the progress of the process that resulted in the conviction of his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, for attempted coup d’état. According to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), Eduardo would have worked with United States authorities to encourage sanctions against STF ministers and economic measures against Brazilusing public statements and demonstrations on social media to pressure members of the Court. The prosecution claims that the former parliamentarian sought to embarrass judges and interfere in the course of the trial.
One of the measures defended by Eduardo, in fact, involved the application of the Magnitsky Law to minister Alexandre de Moraesdevice that blocks goods and properties located in American territory and prohibits entry into the country.
The former deputy’s defense, carried out by the Federal Public Defender’s Office (DPU), contests the validity of the process and argues that the demonstrations attributed to Eduardo Bolsonaro are protected by freedom of expression and the exercise of political activity. The defenders also question the participation of minister Alexandre de Moraes in the trial and allege irregularities in the way the defendant was served.
The complaint was accepted by the STF in November last year, beginning the procedural investigation phase. With the conclusion of the production of evidence and the presentation of final arguments, the case was sent to trial.formed by ministers Alexandre de Moraes, Cristiano Zanin, Cármen Lúcia and Flávio Dino. After statements from the prosecution and defense, the ministers will vote on the former deputy’s criminal responsibility. If the majority of the panel decides to convict, the penalty applicable to the case will also be defined.
Postponement attempt
The Minister of the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, to postpone Eduardo Bolsonaro’s trial. The request included the convocation of a Minister of the Second Panel to complete the First, in ascending order of seniority, claiming that the composition for the trial was not complete.
In the decision, Moraes determined that the session is duly filled with three ministers, the minimum for the functioning of the group, which has 4 permanent members.
It is also worth remembering that, in May this year, the former deputy did not attend the interrogation at the Federal Supreme Court, which had been appointed via videoconference. Furthermore, Eduardo Bolsonaro also asked via social media, yesterday (15), that the United States government reestablish sanctions against minister Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the criminal action.
He also questioned the accusations in his lawsuit, stating that framing his interactions with members of the United States government as a crime
