The Ethics Council of the Chamber of Deputies approved, this Wednesday (28), by 15 votes in favor, one vote against and one abstention, the opinion that calls for the impeachment of federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão (Without Party-RS), accused of being one of the masterminds behind the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes.
The only vote against was that of federal deputy Gutemberg Reis (MDB-RJ) and the abstention was that of deputy Paulo Magalhães (PSD-BA).
The deputy’s defense has five business days to appeal to the House’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). For the parliamentarian to lose his mandate, the opinion still needs to be approved by the House’s plenary.
Marielle’s party colleague, federal deputy Sâmia Bonfim (PSOL-SP), cried when talking about the councilwoman’s murder and highlighted the expansion of militias in Rio de Janeiro.
Brasilia (DF) Deputy Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL-SP). Photo: Joédson Alves/Agência Brasil
“She was an exemplary parliamentarian, who left a fundamental legacy for Brazilian women,” she said, adding that she worked “in defense of the most vulnerable people, and that she was brutally murdered, along with her driver, by one of those extremely dangerous criminal groups that operate in Rio de Janeiro. And they only act, and only have power, because they have deep relationships with political authorities in our country, who are in the municipal, state and federal chambers, they are in the Court of Auditors, they are in the Police and they are in the Judiciary,” she said.
The impeachment of Chiquinho Brazão was defended even by members of parliament who voted for his release when he was arrested in March of this year, accused of obstruction of justice. Deputy Cabo Gilberto Silva (PL-PB) said that he voted for his release because he understood that his arrest was illegal.
“Parliament made a mistake when it authorized the illegal arrest. But now Parliament is doing the right thing, doing its job and showing Brazilian society that we do not condone any type of conduct that violates parliamentary decorum,” said the parliamentarian from Paraíba.
Deputy Ricardo Ayres (Republicanos-TO) also spoke, highlighting that Parliament cannot close its eyes to the path taken by the state of Rio de Janeiro.
“A typical example of where we should not go. It is the collusion of criminal activity, militias and drug trafficking with the authorities, who are involved in their shady interests, which are exposed here in this representation considered by this collegiate body,” he stated.
Report
The rapporteur of the case, deputy Jack Rocha (PT-ES), concluded his vote by asking for the revocation of Brazão’s mandatearguing that the accusation is “credible and supported by significant evidence”. According to Rocha, the Federal Police report shows a “disturbing picture of corruption and organized crime” in the Brazão family’s alleged relations with militia groups in Rio de Janeiro.
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 undermines the legitimacy of parliament and undermines citizens’ confidence in the House’s ability to legislate with integrity,” adding that this situation causes “irreparable damage to the image of the Chamber.”
Defense
Before the report was read, congressman 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.
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 Court of Auditors of Rio de Janeiro, and the former head of the state’s Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa, were also indicted as agents.
In testimony to the STF, the case delegate, Guilhermo de Paula Machado Catrambyfrom the Federal Police (PF), stated 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.
