Silvinei Vasques took advantage of the Christmas fog to move away. Sentenced to 24 and a half years in prison, the former director of the Federal Highway Police dispensed with turkey and French toast. He gave the court a banana, broke his electronic ankle bracelet and fled the country. He was intercepted in Paraguay while trying to board a plane bound for El Salvador.
A card holder, the fugitive was convicted for another shameful episode: setting up police roadblocks to prevent poor voters from voting in 2022.
The investigation proved the conspiracy in detail. Days before the vote, Silvinei gathered his subordinates and informed them that the time had come for the PRF to “take sides” in the presidential race. He had already set a bad example by participating in motorcycle races and wearing his uniform to campaign for captain.
Captured by Bolsonarism, the police planned an operation to disrupt the highways and increase abstention in the second round. The plan was to make access to the polls more difficult in places where Lula tended to receive more votes, notably in the Northeast. For this, an intelligence report was used based on data from the Electoral Tribunal.
On the eve of the vote, the Superior Electoral Court banned barrier gestures. Despite this, the PRF mobilized to detain buses and vans, under the pretext of inspecting bald tires and burned-out headlights. Even a senator was arrested at an illegal checkpoint. The operation was only suspended after Minister Alexandre de Moraes threatened to arrest Silvinei.
The former delegate was not known for his courage. In the last days of the Bolsonaro government, he anticipated his retirement so as not to respond to investigations by the new government. He put on his slippers at 47, with a full salary. Arrested in August 2023, he complained about Papuda’s food and said he was “depressed.” Later, he will try to present himself as the victim of a “media storm”.
The former director of the PRF never admitted his crimes. Even if he never made any effort to hide them. In judging him, Minister Flávio Dino identified the practice of “exhibitionism of wrongdoing”. “Everything (was done) in broad daylight. As if there was pride in illegality,” he observed.
Fleeing law enforcement is another trait common to indigenous extremists. Eduardo Bolsonaro removed the block of fugitives. He was followed by his colleagues Carla Zambelli and Alexandre Ramagem. The trio is now joined by Silvinei. More clumsily, the former head of the PRF even imitated the former president by attacking the ankle bracelet. He was arrested with a false passport at Asunción airport.
The investigation must clarify how the putschist left Brazil and whether he had accomplices in this enterprise. It would also be interesting to know why he chose El Salvador as his destination. The country of Nayib Bukele has become a fetish for the ultra-right. It attracted parliamentarians and pre-candidates eager to record propaganda videos in front of a mega-prison. In Silvinei’s case, prison tourism will have to wait until later. PRF member Bolsonaro was arrested during the check.
About The Author
