Brazilian Federal Police and Intelligence Chiefs Removed Amidst Supreme Court Tensions
SAO PAULO (AP) — In a move that has intensified tensions within Brazil’s Supreme Court, Justice André Mendonca has dismissed the heads of the federal police and the intelligence service. This decision, coming ahead of the national elections in October, has drawn the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva into the ongoing turmoil.
Mendonca, appointed by former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused the federal police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues and intelligence director Leandro Almada of producing six illegal reports concerning the justice’s activities up until the end of August. Both officials are affiliates of President Lula.
Currently, Mendonca is overseeing two significant investigations: one into the collapse of Banco Master, which has implicated several politicians, and another probing alleged pension system frauds that have put scrutiny on one of Lula’s sons.
The Brazilian government has yet to comment on whether it will challenge Mendonca’s decision.
In the upcoming October elections, President Lula will face off against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup.
William Marcel Murad, the acting replacement for Rodrigues, expressed confidence in the leadership of Rodrigues, stating that the federal police force will remain steadfast despite these allegations. Subsequently, 11 federal police directors have offered their resignations, questioning the validity of Mendonca’s accusations.
The directors emphasized that “narratives that are notably influenced by electoral and political interests do not yield the power of erasing the history, the reputation and the professional trajectory” of the federal police leadership.
This decision to remove the federal police chief is part of a broader conflict between Mendonca and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had sentenced Bolsonaro last year. Recently, Mendonca disclosed documents suggesting that Banco Master owner Daniel Vorcaro sought legal advice from de Moraes prior to his arrest.
While de Moraes denied any misconduct, his wife’s legal services to Banco Master under a 130 million reais ($25 million) contract have raised eyebrows. Since the unsealing of documents, de Moraes faces mounting pressure from various sectors to resign.
Last week, media reports suggested Mendonca was seeking a court suspension for de Moraes, pending a potential investigation into the alleged graft case. De Moraes retaliated by calling for an investigation and possible impeachment of Mendonca for interviewing Vorcaro without federal agents or prosecutors present.
On Brazil’s Independence Day, a significant gathering of Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro’s supporters took to Sao Paulo’s streets, many demanding de Moraes’ resignation. The demonstrators prominently displayed figures supporting Mendonca and voiced their opposition to de Moraes.
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