The former president testifies this Tuesday (23), at 3 pm, to the Federal District about the weapon registered in his name and last week.
The version that will be presented by him could be decisive for the continuation of house arrest, which expires this Thursday (25). It will be up to the minister, of the (Supreme Federal Court), to decide whether or not to send Bolsonaro back to the unit known as Papudinha.
In a statement sent to the court, the former president’s defense said that he requested the repair of a pistol after finding a fault, but that it is approaching.
According to the lawyers, the security team — without Bolsonaro knowing — removed the firing pin from the weapon and rendered it inoperative, in a measure to prevent accidents, as the former president uses psychiatric medications that can affect his cognition.
Oblivious to the maneuver, the former president would have noticed the problem and ordered the repair. Bolsonaro was advised by his lawyers to reinforce these arguments to the Civil Police, to avoid contradictions.
The former president met with the lawyers for half an hour this Monday (22), but, with Moraes’ approval, he will have another hour with them in the early afternoon of this Tuesday, “for the purpose of preparing for the hearing”.
Another point that should be addressed by Bolsonaro in his testimony is the fact that there was no determination by the STF regarding the delivery of the weapon, cancellation of registration or similar restriction.
The assessment of the former president’s defense, and which must be repeated by himself, is that there is no irregularity in the fact that he is “the regular owner of the weapons”. Attached to the process, the registration certificate is from 2019.
In an attempt to make a gesture of good faith, Bolsonaro must also tell Civil Police investigators that he has no interest in returning the pistol, and that he is available for any clarifications.
A Sheet questioned the STF via email, on Wednesday (17), about the reason why Bolsonaro, , has access to weapons. He also asked whether measures are being evaluated to suspend registrations in the former president’s name. So far, there has been no response.
The 9 mm Glock pistol was seized last Monday (15) from military officer Estácio Leite da Silva Filho, Bolsonaro’s security guard. He was approached in a traffic stop 33 kilometers from the former president’s condominium.
Moraes ordered the defense to explain “the reason why the convicted man kept a firearm at home” and why, on the eve of the closure of the house, he had requested it be repaired.
According to the lawyers, “the delivery of weapons [a Estácio, para reparos] Its sole purpose was to seek assistance in identifying the fault and carrying out the necessary maintenance”.
Moraes had been considering the possibility of renewing Bolsonaro’s domicile for another 90 days, as he considered that custody was being carried out without complications, amid advances in coordination for the electoral campaign.
However, the case of the pistol seized in the raid raised an alarm in the minister. According to an interlocutor, Moraes’ distrust also increased due to Estácio’s behavior during the police approach.
Military police officer Davi Evangelista Alves said that the pistol was on the floor of the car and that, when he noticed it, “the driver suddenly closed the window.” Furthermore, Estácio would not have responded straight away that the weapon belonged to Bolsonaro.
The version given by Estácio, on the other hand, was that he “immediately informed” that the weapon belonged to Bolsonaro and that he was taking the equipment for repair, planning to return it the following day.
Those around Moraes believe that, if the former president’s explanation is not convincing, there is a chance that he will be sent back to Papudinha, where he was detained until March. The minister has already made it clear that the place is capable of offering the necessary medical care, including emergencies.
This perception is reinforced by the fact that, since benefiting from home care due to a , Bolsonaro has been recovering without complications. He only returned to the hospital once, for one, not linked to the respiratory issue.
The Civil Police opened an investigation to investigate the gun episode and asked Moraes for Bolsonaro to be heard via videoconference. The minister, however, because the former president cannot use electronic devices at home.
Bolsonaro complies, after being hospitalized for two weeks in a hospital in Brasília. Convicted by the STF for leading a coup plot, he is serving a sentence of 27 years and three months.
