Operation 'Lesa Pátria': PF investigates suspects of financing coup in 11 states and DF one year after the acts of January 8
Agents are executing 46 search and seizure warrants, in addition to an arrest warrant. The targets' names were not released. According to investigations, it is estimated that the damage to public property will reach around R$40 million.
Anti-democratic attack that occurred on January 8, 2023 - Photo Reproduction/Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil
In the Brazilian political scenario, Operation 'Lesa Pátria' gains prominence this morning Monday (08) when executing the execution of warrants against suspected individuals to finance and promote coup activities directed at the headquarters of the Three Powers in Brasília, on January 8, 2023, exactly one year ago. A total of 47 court orders were issued. This includes a preventive arrest warrant for a target in Bahia and 46 search and seizure warrants distributed across the country.
The names of the targets were not disclosed, and it is only public knowledge that the preventive detention is aimed at Wagner Ferreira Filho. He is suspected of paying R$24,000 to hire a bus to transport protesters. Traces of his genetic material were found in Congress facilities after the events.
Warrants
The measures are being carried out in the Federal District and in several states, such as Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Maranhão, Paraná, Rondônia, São Paulo, Tocantins and Santa Catarina. This action has the authorization of the Federal Supreme Court (STF). Minister Alexandre de Moraes also determined the blocking and unavailability of goods, assets and values of those investigated. According to investigations, damage to public property is estimated at around R$40 million.
According to the Federal Police (PF), these actions carried out this Monday are part of the 23rd phase of the Lesa Pátria operation, which began the day after the coup events, aiming to investigate those involved, financiers and mentors of this episode.
The Investigations
The investigations were based on several developments, including the CPI report on Coup Acts in Congress and the more than 6.2 thousand decisions made by minister Alexandre de Moraes in the processes related to such acts. According to a survey by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), 146 defendants are expected to be tried by April 2024 in 10 virtual sessions. In addition to these, the STF will resume, from February, the trial of another 29 criminal actions.
Since September, when the trials began, the Court has already sentenced 30 people accused of involvement in undemocratic acts. Operation Lesa Pátria is considered by the Federal Police to be an ongoing investigation, and those suspected of participation and financing are being investigated for six crimes.
Violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law;
Coup;
Qualified damage;
Criminal association;
Incitement to crime;
Destruction and deterioration or rendering unusable of specially protected property.
The Context of the Acts of January 8
Precisely one night ago, thousands of extremist followers of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), unhappy with the election and inauguration of current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), invaded and vandalized the Planalto Palace, Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (STF), in Brasília, the Brazilian federal capital. Reiterating Bolsonaro's accusations about the reliability of electronic voting machines, they questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process and called for "military intervention", expressing these calls on banners.
The immediate response to the attacks on Praça dos Três Poderes was led by the President of the Republic. At the end of that same day, Lula signed a decree of federal intervention in public security in Brasília. He stated: "We believe that there was a lack of security. I want to tell you that all those responsible will be found and punished. They will realize that democracy guarantees the right to freedom, communication and expression, but also demands respect for the institutions created to strengthen democracy."
Subsequently, the Federal Attorney General's Office (AGU) presented a petition to the Federal Supreme Court (STF), requesting a series of legal measures in response to the coup at Praça dos Três Poderes, in Brasília. A few hours later, Minister Alexandre de Moraes removed Governor Ibaneis Rocha from office for a period of 90 days.
The following day, the leaders of the Three Powers issued a joint statement in defense of democracy, after a meeting between President Lula, the President of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP), the acting President of the Senate, Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (MDB ), and the President of the STF, Rosa Weber. In the note, the leaders stated that they were "united so that institutional measures were taken, in accordance with Brazilian laws."
On January 10, Moraes ordered the arrest of former minister Anderson Torres and the former commander of the DF Military Police, Colonel Fábio Augusto Vieira, responsible for security during the attacks. Moraes clarified that "absolutely everyone will be held civilly, politically and criminally responsible for acts that undermine democracy, the rule of law and institutions, including intentional collusion - whether by action or omission - motivated by ideology, money, weakness, cowardice, ignorance, bad faith or bad behavior".
Pro-democracy acts
This Monday, a series of events will mark the first anniversary of the invasion and vandalism at the Planalto Palace, National Congress and Federal Supreme Court (STF) by vandals and coup plotters unhappy with the election of the then president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva . The culmination will take place at the National Congress, in Brasília, at 3 pm, with the presence of Lula, the presidents of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG); from the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL); and the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Luis Roberto Barroso. In addition to them, governors, ministers, parliamentarians and representatives of civil society and the Judiciary will participate.
