Mining businessman Rodrigo Martins de Mello, known as Rodrigo Cataratas, said that the federal police arrested his son last Saturday (13) as part of the investigation into the escape of federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem (PL-RJ) from Brazil.
The Cataratas press office published a note on the businessman’s Instagram account. The minor said that Minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) Alexandre de Moraes ordered the arrest of his son Celso Rodrigo de Mello.
The PF reportedly executed an arrest warrant in Manaus (AM). According to Cataratas, “the case is being handled in secret, there is no final sentence and Celso’s defense has already informed that he is innocent and that the decision is being appealed.” Contacted by the UOL, the federal police said they “do not comment on any ongoing investigations”.
“The opinion reinforces the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence, emphasizing that any early conclusions do not correspond to the facts,” the memo said.
Ramagem is on the run from Brazilian justice and lives in the United States. The STF sentenced the MP to 16 years and one month in prison for participating in a coup attempt.
Moraes ordered Ramagem’s preventive arrest after discovering that he had gone abroad. After leaving Brazil, Ramagem continued to vote during sessions in the House, as if he had not fled, using an application that allows him to vote without being in plenary.
The Plenary Chamber will analyze the process regarding the loss of Ramagem’s mandate next Wednesday (17). The case will not go through the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) to shorten the analysis process, according to the President of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB).
Last week, the Chamber of Deputies rejected the dismissal of MP Carla Zambelli (PL-SP). In 24 hours, the STF annulled the decision of the Chamber and decreed the immediate loss of the mandate of the Bolsonarist parliamentarian.
Ramagem left Brazil for Roraima, according to the investigation. Federal police say they believe the MP crossed the border with Venezuela or Guyana. The MP then traveled to the United States.
In 2024, UOL showed that Cataratas had settled in Guyana and set up a mine there. Owner of a fleet of helicopters and with declared assets of R$33.5 million, he is coordinator of the Garimpo é Legal movement, which is trying to expand its activities in the Amazon.
On social networks, Cataratas calls himself a pre-candidate for the Senate of Roraima. A supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), he ran as a federal deputy for the PL in 2022, received 9,095 votes and was not elected – he later left the party.
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