Federal police officers from five states today (23) fulfill eight search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to businessmen who participated in a WhatsApp group, where messages favorable to a coup d’état were shared if the PT candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, win the next elections.
The searches and seizures of possible evidence of the involvement of businessmen with the promotion of attacks on democracy or in alleged electoral crimes were authorized by the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, who assumed the presidency of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), on the last day 16.
The warrants are being carried out in Ceará, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. In addition to the searches, Moraes ordered the blocking of assets and the breaking of bank secrecy of those investigated; blocking social networks and taking testimonials.
The judicial authorization and the police operation take place seven days after the site Metrópoles reported that, in messages exchanged on the WhatsApp group called Entrepreneurs & Politics, the targets of the operation questioned the security of electronic voting machines and the fairness of the Brazilian electoral process, in addition to defending unconstitutional measures and even a possible coup d’état.
Among those cited in the report are Afrânio Barreira Filho, owner of the Coco Bambu restaurant chain; Ivan Wrobel, from construction company W3 Engenharia; José Isaac Peres, from malls Multiplan; José Koury, owner of Barra World Shopping, in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to Luciano Hang (Havan); Luiz André Tissot (Sierra Group); Marco Aurélio Raymundo, known as Morongo, founder of the surfwear Mormaii and Meyer Joseph Nigri, from Tecnisa.
Businessman Luciano Hang confirmed, on his social media, that he is one of the targets of the Federal Police (PF) action. “Today, I was treated like a bandit again! I was working at 6 am at my company when the Federal Police arrived, clearly embarrassed. A story out of context and irresponsible put me in this situation. Because of her, a narrative and a lie were created,” Hang wrote before assuring that he never defended a coup. “I have always defended democracy, freedom of expression and opinion. I am calm, because I have nothing to fear and I have the truth on my side”, added the businessman, revealing a concern: “I run the risk of losing my nets once again. An absurdity, based on distorted and false information.”
Businessman Afrânio Barreira Filho, from Coco Bambu, released a note in which he claims to be “absolutely calm”. “My only manifestation [no grupo de WhatsApp] on the subject was an emoji [o desenho de um rapaz aplaudindo os comentários de outros integrantes do grupo] signaling the reading of the message [anterior], without endorsing or agreeing with its content”, he commented, guaranteeing to trust the Justice and to be in favor of Brazilian democracy. “I have never defended, verbalized, thought or written in favor of any anti-democratic or “coup” movement. So I am in favor of freedom, democracy and a fair electoral process.”
Mormaii’s legal representative, Luana Aguiar, confirmed that Morongo is one of the eight targets of the PF operation, which “contacted” him this morning. “We still do not know the full content of the inquiry, but it [Raymundo] has placed itself and remains at the disposal of all authorities to provide clarifications.”
In a note, Ivan Wrobel’s defense classifies as false the statement that the businessman defends a coup d’état and maintains that he had his honor and credibility shaken “simply for participating in a WhatsApp group”. , Mr Ivan always knew the danger that dictatorships can cause. It should be noted that in 1968 [durante o regime militar]when IME student [Instituto Militar de Engenharia]was invited to withdraw from the institution for having spoken out against AI-5 [Ato Institucional nº 5]”, adds the defense.
Luiz André Tissot’s adviser informed that, for now, he will not comment on the subject.
THE Brazil Agency also contacted employees of Multiplan, Barra World Shopping and Tecnisa in order to obtain the manifestations of their executives and awaits answers.
In a note, the Federal Police confirmed that the warrants issued by Moraes were complied with, but did not inform the names of the targets of the search and seizure actions because it was a confidential investigation. The STF advisory limited itself to confirming Moraes’ decision, without providing details.
