Based on conversations intercepted on the cell phone of the former president of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), Rodrigo Bacellar, the Federal Police (PF) indicates that there is a close friendly relationship between the politician and judge Macário Ramos Judice Neto, arrested this Tuesday (16).
The PF believes that Neto leaked confidential information to Bacellar about the operation that arrested former state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silvas, TH Jóiaswithin an action of which Neto was rapporteur.
The messages included in the PF representation show that Bacellar and Neto call each other “brother” at different times and even say that they love each other. Neto also asks about Bacelar’s father’s health status and takes advantage of the intimacy to ask for tickets to a Flamengo game.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the judge’s wife took a position on a commission at Alerj, as recommended by the former president.
The Federal Police also argue that Bacellar and Neto met at a steakhouse on the night of September 2, immediately before TH Jóias’ arrest.
Investigators believe the two were together when Bacellar alerted the former deputy about the operation that would be carried out the following morning. As proof, messages exchanged between Bacellar and two contacts were attached, stating that he was at the steakhouse with the judge.
“The Federal Police identified that the close relationship between Macário Ramos Júdice Neto and Rodrigo da Silva Bacelar has a relevant impact on the continuation of police investigations into criminal organizations, demonstrating the criminal practice of obstruction of justice” says the representation.
The text that was included in the court sentence that ordered Neto’s arrest, signed by Federal Supreme Court minister Alexandre de Moraes.
Neto’s defense, signed by lawyer Fernando Fernandes, maintains that the accusations are untrue and says he will ask for the judge’s release.
Remember the case
TH Joias was arrested in September as the main target of Operation Zargun, accused of links to the criminal faction Comando Vermelho (CV), which includes intermediating the purchase and sale of weapons. He had taken up a position at Alerj as a substitute, a position he lost after his arrest, with the return to the role of the full deputy.
In early December, based on messages intercepted on TH Jóias’s phone, the STF also ordered the arrest of the then president of Alerj Rodrigo Bacellaraccused of having passed information from Zargun to TH Joias and helping him hide evidence. Bacellar spent five days in prison, but was released after the arrest is revoked by Alerj herself. The following day, he resigned from his position.
By decision of Minister Alexandre de Moares, Bacellar has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and obey some restrictions, such as remaining away from the presidency of Alerj, home confinement, prohibition of communicating with other people being investigated, suspension of carrying a weapon and surrendering a passport.
