Brazil: Landless Workers Movement leader faces criminal charges for encouraging property invasions

Congress members of the opposition filed a criminal complaint against the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) leader, João Pedro Stédile, at the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR).

The militant is accused of releasing videos in which he incites the invasion of rural properties in the country.

In the document, headed by Federal Congressman Deltan Dallagnol (Podemos-PR), the congressmen allege that Stédile said the MST would promote “many demonstrations in defense of agrarian reform” in all states, to adopt the “thousand and one ways to pressure” for the eviction of rural properties.

In another video, the MST leader declared that invasions would occur in April and throughout the year.

“It will happen,” the militant said.

At least 33 properties were invaded in 2023 in 18 states.

This month, the landless celebrate “Red April” – an occasion when they promote a wave of property invasions.

DALLAGNOL WANTS MST LEADER ARRESTED

“The leader of the MST is using his social leadership to incite the commission of crimes throughout the country, which has, as a fact, been occurring,” says an excerpt from the criminal complaint.

“The Public Power cannot be lenient with the scenario of threats and invasions announced and promoted by this movement.”

“It is important that the control bodies take measures to prevent and end the camps set up to prepare and support invasions and other related crimes.”

In the document, the deputies ask that the MST encampments be subjected to the same criteria adopted by the Supreme Court in the judgment of the January 8 demonstrations.

Dallagnol also asks for an evaluation of the need to arrest Stédile and other movement leaders.

Earlier this week, the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), said that he would propose the creation of a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate the MST’s property invasions.

With information from Revista Oeste

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