Federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão (No Party-RJ) should have his mandate revoked for breach of parliamentary decorum for being accused of ordering the murder of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, defended this Wednesday (28) the rapporteur of the case in the Chamber’s Ethics Council, federal deputy Jack Rocha (PT-ES).
Using the argument of preserving the “collective honor” of Parliament, the deputy presented her opinion claiming that the accusations against deputy Brazão tarnish the image of the Legislature.
“The public perception that the Chamber of Deputies shelters and protects individuals involved in illicit acts compromises the legitimacy of parliament and weakens citizens’ confidence in the House’s ability to legislate with integrity,” adding that this situation causes “irreparable damage to the image of the Chamber,” says the deputy in her report.
To lose her mandate, the deputy’s opinion needs to be approved by the Ethics Council and then by the plenary of the Chamber.
The rapporteur highlighted the alleged relationship between the parliamentarian and the Rio de Janeiro militia and cited companies used for the alleged criminal activities. “The evidence presented in the Federal Police (PF) report outlines a disturbing picture of corruption and organized crime,” she said, adding that “this network facilitated the expansion of criminal activities in Rio de Janeiro.”
According to Congresswoman Rocha, Marielle’s opposition to the illegal activities of the militias provides a motivation for the murder. “The accusation that the suspect is one of those responsible for the death of Marille Franco is plausible and supported by significant evidence,” she highlighted.
Regarding the bill currently being processed by the Rio City Council that would have led to Marielle’s murder, the rapporteur argued that the proposal brought benefits to the group linked to the Brazão family.
“The legislation not only facilitated the legalization of properties in areas controlled by these groups, but also indicated a strategy to strengthen their presence and control over the territory,” he said.
Defense
Before the opinion was read, the parliamentarian Chiquinho Brazão, currently in prison, spoke via video conference to the Ethics Council. Chiquinho once again defended his innocence, emphasizing that he had a good relationship with Marielle and that he has no connection with the Rio de Janeiro militia.
“Councilwoman Mariele was my friend, demonstrably, in the filming. There would be no reason [para o crime] because we have always been partners and 90% of my votes and hers coincide,” he said, adding that “if you look at the footage, as there is a lot of it, she talks about me, talking well. In fact, Marielle would leave her place and sometimes ask for a candy, a piece of gum [para mim]”.
Brazão stressed that the only thing against him is the plea bargain agreement of police officer Ronnie Lessa, who was arrested for killing the councilwoman and driver Anderson Gomes. According to Brazão, he traveled alone in areas controlled by militias and drug trafficking. “I am accused of militia participation because I bring projects to the communities,” he said.
The congressman’s lawyer, Cleber Lopes, also spoke at Wednesday’s session. He requested that the proceedings in the Council be suspended for six months while the Supreme Federal Court (STF) analyzes the complaint filed against his client.
The lawyer complained that some witnesses refused to participate in the Council, which would have harmed the defense’s work. Furthermore, he argued that the investigation against Brazão did not prove the parliamentarian’s links to either the militia or others involved in the crime.
“The Federal Police found themselves in the position of having to hand over to Brazil the person who ordered this murder. And so they settled for the fraudulent version, the irresponsible version of Ronnie Lessa, using the law of least effort. The police did not dedicate themselves, did not investigate, and did not prove any connection between Chiquinho and Macalé. [acusado de ser miliciano]does not prove Chiquinho’s connection with delegate Rivaldo, does not prove the viability or any subdivision project in that area, does not prove Chiquinho Brazão’s relationship with the militia”, he highlighted.
Marielle Case
In March 2018, PSOL councilwoman Marielle Franco was shot dead in downtown Rio de Janeiro, along with her driver Anderson Gomes. After several twists and turns in the investigation into the murder, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) filed a complaint against the alleged masterminds.
In addition to deputy Chiquinho Brazão, his brother, Domingos Brazão, a member of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors, and the former head of the state’s Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa, were also named as the masterminds.
In testimony to the STF, the case delegate, Guilhermo de Paula Machado Catramby, from the PFstated that Marielle’s actions against a bill on land regularization in the western zone went against Brazão’s political and economic interests in the region, which is why they decided to kill her. Marielle wanted to allocate these areas for public housing.
