Rodrigo Amorim’s (União Brasil) candidacy for mayor of Rio de Janeiro was rejected this Thursday (5) by the Regional Electoral Court (TRE). The judge responsible for the decision understood that he is ineligible for the crime of political gender violence, committed against councilwoman Benny Briolly. In May 2022, Amorim called her a “freak of nature” for being trans.
The state deputy also had his access to resources from the Party Fund and the Special Campaign Financing Fund suspended. He will also have to return the resources that have already been made available in his bank account.
The request to challenge the candidacy was made by the coalition O Rio Merece Mais, of mayoral candidate Tarcísio Motta, which includes the PSOL/Rede/PCB parties, and by the Electoral Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Last month, Rodrigo Amorim had obtained a stay of sentence, arguing that it was necessary to wait for the courts to finish judging all the defense’s appeals. If the sentence is upheld, the congressman could be ineligible until 2032. The TRE has now understood that the stay of sentence does not change Amorim’s ineligibility.
Sought by the reporter of Brazil AgencyRodrigo Amorim’s advisory team sent an audio response from the candidate.
“I recently learned of the first instance decision that, contrary to the decision of the TRE’s supervising judge, rejected my candidacy. However, I have already filed a valid appeal. This does not change my candidacy in any way. I am a lawyer, a member of parliament, a legal practitioner, and I will always continue to trust the institutions. Our campaign is strong, on the streets, and will remain that way,” said Amorim.
