After a tense morning, Alerj begins the plenary session which will decide on the arrest of the President of the House

• “Very serious” facts: PF reported signs of participation of Alerj president in criminal organization, says Moraes
• After changing his phone number the day before the operation that arrested him, TH Joias contacted Rodrigo Bacellar and called the president of Alerj ’01’

The work was opened by the Acting President of the Chamber, Deputy Guilherme Delaroli (PL), who asked Deputy Luiz Paulo (PSD) to read the draft resolution deliberated within the framework of the CCJ, who declined and requested that the reading be done by Deputy Rodrigo Amorim (União), President of the Commission. After the reading of the brief text calling for the release of Rodrigo Bacellar, speeches for and against the text began. By agreement, three deputies were appointed to support the resolution and three against. At the start of the session, four absences were noted: Felipe Soares (União Brasil), Vinicius Cozzolino (União Brasil), Cláudio Caiado (PSD) and Dionísio Lins (PP).

The first to speak was MP Flavio Serafini (Psol) who questioned the fact that TH Jóias was in Parliament due to a direct action of the government, which appointed deputy secretary Rafael Picciani, thus opening the position of TH.

According to what was said, MP Alexandre Knoploch (PL), one of those closest to Bacellar, fiercely defended the president of Alerj. He criticized the STF’s decision and said it contained “exaggerated” elements. He also argued that there should be precautionary measures other than prison and that Bacellar was instrumental in passing laws to combat organized crime.

— The situation that has arisen is very serious. Many here treated TH Jóias with lots of kisses and hugs, including people on the left. Now wanting to blame Rodrigo Bacellar is a joke. Making a fallacious speech to blame something that, in my opinion, is very fragile, is of no use – he said.

The third speaker was MP Carlos Minc (PSB):

— We are not judging Deputy Bacellar. Those who have the obligation to judge are the PF and the Supreme Court. We do not judge innocence or guilt, we decide whether the actions taken are justified or not, so that the investigation can continue without interference. We all know that an election needs resources and that organized crime has them and wants to infiltrate power. We must cut off these tentacles, otherwise this Parliament will be contaminated by organized crime. People worry about the power of factions and militias, Minc said.

Then came MP India Armelau (PL)

— It surprises me that the left says that Bacellar is a tramp. I’m not going to be discouraged, they’re trying to spread the narrative that it’s linked to organized crime. I’m going to get caught in the net, but I’m on the safe side. We still don’t have anything real, just speculation, there are a lot of MPs here who are falling by the wayside. — declared the MP.

The president of the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) Rodrigo Amorim (União) “hid” the name of Rodrigo Bacellar (União), president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj), from the draft resolution that could free the parliamentarian. Bacellar was arrested last week by the federal police on suspicion of disclosing an operation against former MP TH Jóias.

The project approved by the CCJ this Monday and which goes to plenary, says that “the preventive detention contained in petition 14.969 is revoked”. This action is the number of the lawsuit against Bacellar which is pending before the Federal Court, according to the report by Alexandre de Moraes.

Arrest of Alerj president

Bacellar was arrested last Wednesday by the Federal Police, accused of obstructing the investigation, suspected of having leaked data on the agents’ operation against State Deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as TH Jóias. The Alerj president, according to a PF report, warned his parliamentary colleague of the arrest, with instructions to get rid of evidence, such as deleting cell phone data.

TH Jóias faces charges of drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering and gang formation, in addition to being suspected of mediating arms negotiations with the Comando Vermelho (CV). The arrest was ordered by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), where the case is pending.

By four votes to three, the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) decided to submit the draft resolution to the plenary of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj) so that parliamentarians can express their opinion on whether or not to revoke the arrest of Rodrigo Bacellar (União).

Deputy Rodrigo Amorim (União), president of the commission, chaired the collegial session. During a meeting marked by an exchange of accusations and a tense atmosphere, the deputies even proposed that a second vote in plenary also determine whether, in the event of release, Bacellar would remain at the head of the Assembly. Amorim stressed, however, that they would only discuss the constitutionality of the prison.

During the discussion on the draft resolution, Rodrigo Amorim also admitted his fear of confronting Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court. This statement is a response to deputy Vitor Junior (PDT), who suggested that the Alerj plenary votes on two amendments: on the maintenance of the prison and also on the removal of Bacellar from the presidency of the Chamber. The CCJ meeting became the scene of clashes and attracted parliamentarians who are not even part of the collegiate body.

• Bacellar arrested: Political maneuver after MP’s arrest leads to profligacy in electronic processes in Rio state, says Moraes