The state representative Rodrigo Bacellar (União Brasil), removed from the presidency of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), renewed his request for leave from office. He has been out of office since December 10th.
Bacellar was arrested during Operation Nail and Flesh, by the Federal Police (PF), on December 3. The parliamentarian allegedly leaked confidential information about the investigation against former state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as TH Joias, accused of intermediating the purchase and sale of weapons for Comando Vermelho (CV), the main criminal faction in Rio de Janeiro.
Messages intercepted by investigators supported the decision of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to arrest and remove Bacellar from the presidency of Alerj.
Bacellar had been in charge of the House since 2023. During this period, he held the position of governor on an interim basis in the absence of incumbent Cláudio Castro.
Five days after the arrest ordered by STF minister Alexandre de Moraes, the Alerj plenary decided, by 42 votes to 21, to release Bacellar.
Alerj’s decision is provided for in the Constitution. When the Court orders the arrest of a federal or state deputy, the measure must be ratified by the respective legislative house. After the vote, Moraes issued the release warrant of Bacellar and determined the use of anklet.
First order
The day after his release, Bacellar submitted a request for leave from Alerj for ten days, until the start of the legislative recess in the state, scheduled for December 19th. The justification was to resolve private matters.
The new license request was presented upon returning from recess, last Tuesday (3), valid until February 11th. With Bacellar’s departure, the presidency of Alerj is occupied by deputy Guilherme Delaroli (PL).
Remember the case
In September, Operation Zargun arrested the then state deputy TH Joias. TH 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.
Bacellar’s arrest, in December, took place while he was giving a statement at the PF headquarters. The communication intercepted by the PF shows that, the night before he was arrested, TH Joias looked for Bacellar, whom he called “01”. The then president of Alerj instructed TH to hide objects that could serve as evidence. The two also spoke on the morning of the operation, before TH was detained.
Electronic anklet
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 from 7pm to 6am from Monday to Friday and on weekends, holidays and days off, prohibition of communicating with other people being investigated, suspension of carrying a weapon and handing over a passport.
Bacellar’s case went to the STF because it was part of the Claim of Noncompliance with Fundamental Precepts (ADPF) 635, known as ADPF das Favelas, which investigates the activities of the main violent criminal groups in the state.
