Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro pardons a representative sentenced to imprisonment by the Supreme Court

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday announced a pardon in favor of the right -wing deputy Daniel Silveirawho was sentenced by the Supreme Court the other day to eight years in prison for his threats to democratic institutions.

Bolsonaro made the announcement in a live broadcast on his social networks and described it as “news is very important for our democracy and our freedom ”, in addition to clarifying that he would not“ comment ”on the Supreme Court’s decision.

He then read the law, clarified that the Constitution granted him these powers, and mentioned in the “considerations” that “freedom of expression is a pillar of society” and that “society is in legitimate shock” at the judgment of a representative, protected by parliamentary immunity.

Silveira, one of the leaders of the most right -wing group supporting Bolsonaro, was sentenced on Wednesday to eight years and nine months. after intimidating Supreme Court judgesdemand the “closure” of that court and of Parliament and promote a “military intervention” similar to that imposed in 1964 by a dictatorship that lasted 21 years.

Failure

The verdict against Silveira it was approved by ten votes against only one againstissued by Judge Kassio Nunes, which reached the Supreme Court upheld by Bolsonaro, in 2020.

The decision was based on an accusation from the Attorney General’s Office, according to which the representative was incurred in the crimes of coercion, incitement to violenceattacks against the rule of law and democratic institutions and attempts to prevent their functioning through serious threats ”.

In videos released on social networks, Silveira has reached the climax of suggests the assassination of Supreme Court judgeswhere he said he “conspired” against the Bolsonaro government.

Also, it promoted anti-democratic activities, some of which were encouraged by the president himself, where they urged the Supremo to “crease” and Parliament and force a “military intervention” to “close” those two powers and keep Bolsonaro in power.

“Free expression”

The president, who has not yet ruled on the verdict, has supported Silveira on several occasions and outlined his thoughts on “free expression”an allegation filed by the deputy defense at trial and denied by the Supreme Court.

The forgiveness dictated by Bolsonaro could once again force the president’s difficult relationship with the Supreme Courtwhich worsened when the court opened various investigations against him, for spreading false news and questioning the transparency of the election next October, among other issues.

Bolsonaro will seek to renew his mandate in these elections, but all opinion surveys place progressive leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as the clear favorite, ruling between 2003 and 2010. and the greatest counter-politics of the far right.

According to polls, the purpose of voting Lula exceeds 40%, compared to 30% available to the current president.

Source: EFE

PB