The decision of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj) which annulled the arrest of the dismissed president of the House, Rodrigo Bacellar (União), determined by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), was regrettable. Bacellar is accused of disclosing information about an operation by the Federal Police (PF) aimed at arresting deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, TH Joias (MDB), suspected of being the political wing of Comando Vermelho (CV). Given Alerj’s corporate history, the result is not surprising. That doesn’t make it any less scandalous.
- Editorial: Bacellar arrest highlights infiltration of organized crime into politics
We cannot even say that the House was divided. Although the vote in the Constitution and Justice Committee was close (4 to 3), in plenary, the repeal of the prison won hands down – 42 to 21, with two abstentions and five absences. The wide arch of supports attracts attention. Of the 18 parties, 14 gave one or more votes to Bacellar. Condescension permeates all political trends. To try to reduce the embarrassment, TV Alerj did not broadcast the session live and the panel did not show each MP’s vote.
- Editorial: TH Joias prison reveals the extent of criminal infiltration into institutions
This was not a minor problem. Bacellar, according to the investigation, warned TH Joias of the PF operation, allowing him to empty his house, change his cell phone and eliminate incriminating evidence. When the police arrived, they could not find him (he was arrested at another address). It is impressive that the deputies of Rio de Janeiro do not take into account serious accusations such as drug trafficking, money laundering and arms trade for the CV.
In the decision that determined the arrest last week, Minister Alexandre de Moraes said there was “strong evidence” of Bacellar’s participation in a criminal organization. He acted, in Moraes’ words, actively “obstructing investigations involving criminal factions and actions against organized crime, including by exerting influence over the executive power of the state.”
Rio, like other Brazilian states, is hostage to criminal factions. In the Metropolitan Region, 4 million inhabitants are under the control of armed groups, or more than a third of the population. Increasingly, organized crime is infiltrating formal and political activities, seeking to influence decisions. Such a calamity should have been taken into account by Alerj, but parliamentarians preferred to turn a blind eye to reality.
Yesterday, in granting Bacellar provisional release, Moraes ordered the parliamentarian to respect precautionary measures during the investigation, such as removal from the presidency of the House, confinement at home at night and the use of an electronic ankle bracelet. It would even be unacceptable for Bacellar to continue to lead the Parliament of Rio de Janeiro. The charges against him are serious and suggest promiscuous relationships with criminal factions that should be fought by all powers. With what authority would he order the vote on public security projects?
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