The Attorney General of the Republic (PGR), Paulo Gonet, defended this Wednesday (12), during a hearing in the Senate, his role in the coup plot process, which condemned former president Jair Bolsonaro and his allies for attempted coup d’état, among other crimes. 
“There is no criminalization of politics in itself. Above all, the ink that prints the pieces produced by the Attorney General’s Office does not have the colors of party flags”, said Gonet, rebutting criticism from senators linked to the former president who classify the trial as “political persecution”.
Paulo Gonet participates in a hearing of the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), which analyzes the reappointment of the prosecutor to the position for another 2 years.
The attorney general highlighted that, during the coup plot process, non-criminal prosecution agreements were widely used for defendants who recognized the error and committed to reparation measures, maintaining their status as first-time offenders.
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As of October 23, 568 people under investigation had benefited from the agreements. Another 715 were convicted and there were 12 acquittals, most at the request of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).
“Note that 606 cases are in progress, which represents 32.3% of the total. As can be seen, the numbers demonstrate that the actions of the Attorney General of the Republic were confirmed in their correctness by the judging body in the vast majority of closed cases”, he highlighted.
Paulo Gonet also stated that his statements were restricted to the case files, avoiding illegal leaks and public comments. “Respect for judicial secrecy was always observed absolutely,” he added.
The attorney general also highlighted his role in the case of INSS embezzlement scandalin the agreement on the collapse of the Samarco dam in Mariana, in Minas Gerais, and in the fight against organized crime.
Coup plot
Senators allied with former president Jair Bolsonaro criticized the PGR’s actions in the case of the coup plot judged in the Federal Supreme Court (STF). The Court recognized the guilt of the accused for trying to convince military commanders to join a plan to annul the elections and prevent the inauguration of elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The former president’s son, senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), accused Gonet of “scumming” the Public Ministry.
“You played a dirty game with someone who, for me, is sick. But you are there, it seems [que] following his orders”, he said, referring to the rapporteur of the case at the STF, minister Alexandre de Moraes.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro also came out in defense of his brother, deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), accused by the Attorney General’s Office of obstruction of justice by promoting a campaign in the United States for sanctions against STF ministers and against the Brazilian economy.
“He [Eduardo Bolsonaro] He went to the United States to denounce the abuses of Alexandre de Moraes and Your Excellency is here opening an investigation to persecute him, instead of investigating the serious allegations that are being made. Aren’t you ashamed to do this?” asked the senator.
In response to criticism of his role in the coup plot, Gonet reaffirmed that he was never driven by partisan issues.
“[Os processos da PGR] They are the results of the assessment, always as detailed as possible and always as broad as possible, in relation to all aspects that are the subject of due attention. Done in the most sober and conscientious way and, at the same time, respectful of those involved in these issues”, he declared.
During the hearing, Gonet highlighted the letter received from the National Association of Attorneys of the Republic (ANPR) in support of his reappointment to the position of attorney general.
However, senator Flávio Bolsonaro criticized the ANPP demonstration. “The class of members of the Federal Public Ministry, this is said by the representative of more than 1,100 members of the Federal Public Ministry, by ANPR, fully supports the renewal of their mandate. It seems that there is no shame in the class in having the current Attorney General at the head of the career.”
