According to the authors of the open letter, the blame for the aggravation of the domestic political crisis lies with the representatives of the highest judicial authority.
The institutional crisis between the branches of government in Brazil threatens to turn into a civil war. This view was expressed in an open letter published on Sunday by a group of retired Brazilian military personnel.
According to the authors of the document, including several retired generals and dozens of former lower-ranking military officials who studied at the Agulhas-Negras Military Academy, like President Jair Bolsonaro, the blame for the aggravation of the internal political crisis lies with the highest judicial authority, the Federal Supreme Court (FES). That body, together with the police, was investigating allegations of abuse of authority and interference in the work of the investigating authorities. “They [the judges] threaten the security and stability of the country, exacerbate an institutional crisis, the consequences of which are unpredictable and, as you know, may in the worst case, lead to civil war” – quotes the text of the document portal UOL.
At the end of April, a political scandal erupted in Brazil, triggered by the resignation of Sergio Moru, then Minister of Justice. He explained his decision by disagreeing with the actions of the head of state, who a few hours earlier dismissed the head of the Brazilian Federal Police, Mauricio Leite Valeixo. According to Moru, the Brazilian leader had thus attempted to prevent the investigation of criminal cases involving the President’s sons. Bolsonaro, in response, accused a former subordinate of treason and stated that the former minister was trying to score points before the 2022 presidential elections.
Against this backdrop, Celso de Melo FCA judge authorized an investigation into Bolsonaro because, in fact, public accusations had been made against the President for personal gain, interference in the work of investigative bodies and obstruction of justice. Last Friday, Delo authorized the publication of a videotape and transcript of the Government meeting of 22 April, which, according to Moru, can prove that he was right. The footage of the meeting shows the Head of State complaining about the quality of the operational reports from the military, the intelligence agencies and the Federal Police and warns that those responsible for security (up to and including the minister) may lose their posts.
The judge also submitted a request to the prosecutor general for the seizure of the head of state’s mobile phone for investigation, which, according to the pro-Khodtayevs, may reveal other evidence in favor of the version about the president’s official crimes. This was opposed by Defense Minister Fernando Azeved-e-Silva and close associate of Bolsonaro General Augusto Helen, who heads the Cabinet of institutional (state) security in the presidential administration.