The Senate Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry that investigates organized crime approved, this Wednesday (26), invitations to attend the CPI for the commanders of the Navy, squadron admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and of the Air Force, air lieutenant brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno.
The head of the Army’s military command in the Amazon, General Luiz Gonzaga Viana Filho, was also invited. As this is an invitation, not a summons, military personnel can decide whether or not to attend the commission.
The author of the request for invitation from Navy and Air Force commanders, senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), argued that listening to the military is fundamental to understanding the role of the Armed Forces in protecting maritime borders and controlling air traffic, through which much of the drug and weapons trafficking in Brazil would pass.
“The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), under the command of Air Lieutenant General Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, is responsible for inspecting, monitoring and, when necessary, intercepting these aircraft, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the national airspace,” said Girão, referring to the invitation to the Air Force commander.
Investigating Bigtechs
Another request presented by the CPI rapporteur, senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE), summons the general director of Meta in Brazil, Conrado Leister. The technology giant Meta controls the social networks Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp.
The CPI rapporteur, Alessandro Vieira, argued that it is also necessary to investigate the United States (USA) company due to a “possible systematic use” of Meta networks to disseminate criminal activities and “as a source of financing” for crime.
The senator cited news published in the press involving Meta’s internal documents that would reveal that the company is aware of the use of advertisements to apply scams and fraud against internet users and illicit trade.
“Such documents indicate that Meta had revenues of approximately US$16 billion in 2024, resulting from the broadcast of advertisements for scams and prohibited products. This value would represent around 10% of the company’s total annual revenue”, explained the parliamentarian from Sergipe.
Alessandro Vieira intends to gather information on the volume of money moved by fraudulent advertisements and illegal activities in the country, in addition to finding out what measures the company has adopted to curb these activities.
“It is deeply strange and aggravates the situation that, according to the documents, Meta is fully aware of the problem. The company would have opted for a business model that monetizes the risk, as Meta would only block advertiser accounts when its algorithm indicates a 95% certainty of fraud”, added Alessandro Vieira when asking for the head of Meta in Brazil to be summoned.
CPI summons former deputy TH Joias
A request from the CPI rapporteur to summon – when there is an obligation to appear before the Commission – the former state deputy from the state of Rio, was also approved. Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva (MDB-RJ), known as TH Joias.
He was preventively arrested by the Federal Police (PF) and indicted on charges of brokering weapons for a criminal faction in Rio de Janeiro. The former parliamentarian’s defense denies the accusations.
“Mr. Thiago was indicted by the Federal Police of Rio de Janeiro for serious crimes linked to factions. The alleged use of a legitimate business, such as the jewelry trade, to launder and move millions on behalf of these factions, is a point of central interest for this CPI”, explained the Commission’s rapporteur.
CPI invites authorities
The CPI also approved invitation requests to hear, among other authorities involved in bodies that contribute to the fight against organized crime: the general director of the Federal Highway Police (PRF), Antônio Fernando Souza Oliveira; the special secretary of the Federal Revenue, Robinson Sakiyama Barreirinhas; the National Secretary of Public Security, Mário Luiz Sarrubbo; and the president of the Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf), Ricardo Andrade Saadi.
Created after the repercussions of the police operation in Rio de Janeiro that caused the death of 122 people, the Organized Crime CPI intends to produce a diagnosis of the activities of factions and militias in Brazil to suggest legislative changes and public policies to combat these organizations.
