RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Federal Prosecutor General, Augusto Aras, advocated on Tuesday, October 1st, the deepening of investigations into the attack suffered by President Jair Bolsonaro last year, claiming that defendant Adélio Bispo de Oliveira did not act as a “lone wolf” when stabbing the then-candidate of the PSL.
“There is still time to seek the real truth behind the attack,” he told the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, echoing the speech of the president, who appointed him to the post.
Aras was sworn in on Monday, October 2nd, for a two-year term. The Federal Police found, in 2018, that Adélio had acted alone, but a new inquiry was opened to investigate the participation of third parties. The court found him to be legally incompetent, unable to answer for his actions.
Below is the interview conducted by Estado de S.Paulo
President Jair Bolsonaro still calls for an investigation into the attack he suffered. Does the case need a different approach?
I believe it should warrant further investigation. I do not believe by Adélio’s modus operandi that the attack on the life of the current president was simply spontaneous event.
Why?
The use of a blade, the suspicion of accomplices in the crowd, the attempt to mislead the investigations with the admission of people with the same name into the City Hall, the appearance of lawyers who were not hired by anyone known are all factors that must be investigated. It is still time for the Federal Police, of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, acting together, to seek the real truth behind the assassination attempt.
Does the “lone wolf” narrative not convince you?
No, because of the circumstances.
In practice, what action may the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR) request on the case?
This matter needs to be addressed by the president’s lawyers at this point.
Is former President Lula right when he says that he should be entitled to a new trial in the Guarujá triplex case?
I can’t discuss the substance of cases that are still to be judged. From a technical standpoint, the suspicion, in theory, does not annul the conviction. What nullifies the conviction is an impartial judge.
How will you respond to the fake news inquiry opened by the Supreme Court, which has not had a copy sent to the PGR to date?
We have an appointment to discuss the PGR’s lack of involvement in the case of fake news, of Janot (Rodrigo Janot, former Prosecutor-General), of Senator Fernando Bezerra (government leader in the Senate, the target of a State Police operation).
But that doesn’t imply nullity. One thing is the uncompromising defense that we will be making of our constitutional prerogatives; another is to impute nullity to an investigation that will merit the PGR’s consideration.
Will you also use the evidence collected from Senator Fernando Bezerra’s office in the operation authorized by the Supreme Court without Raquel Dodge’s approval, your predecessor?
The principle is the same. But we cannot allow this to persist. Because, then yes, if this becomes a practice of subversion of the prerogatives of the Prosecutor’s Office, this MP will be required to take some action.
Are you concerned that there is no specific fact for verification in the fake news investigation?
When I say that we have an appointment with the Federal Supreme Court (STF) plenary it means that we will need to discuss the position of some justices who supersede the prerogatives of the MPF and adopt an investigative position that is not their jurisdiction. What is the court’s boundary? That is all.
Does the prospect of prosecutors coming within the scope of the STF investigation concern you?
No, that doesn’t concern me. A prosecutor who may have broken the law must answer. The house has to fulfill its duty inside and outside, not just on the street. Corporatism causes adversaries to be persecuted and acolytes to be protected.
Can the MP’s National Council investigate Janot’s conduct, even when he is retired?
In theory, if it is proven that there was functional misconduct, it can, because the facts are prior to retirement. I support the Council investigating any and all illicit conduct.
What losses does the suspension of investigations based on COAF data have?
It may prevent, constrain, delay ongoing investigations, but we are certain that the STF is also aware of this high liability and will have to rule this case as soon as possible. Thus, the investigations can return to their normal course.
Do you agree with Raquel Dodge’s request for the federalization of Marielle Franco’s case?
I endorse (the federalization) in view of the length of time that has elapsed, of Raquel’s denunciation, showing that there was obstruction, the inability of the public officials of the State of Rio de Janeiro to conduct the investigations to ascertain the perpetrator of the crime. Everything points to the need for federalization.
Will Marielle’s case be a priority for you in the PGR?
Every homicide case is a priority. Marielle’s case is stronger in the eyes of public opinion as a result of her exercising a political mandate and the circumstances in which she was murdered. The Prosecutor’s Office has to look at every death, of Marielle, of Ágatha (an 8-year-old girl killed by a rifle shot in Rio), of anyone, as a relevant fact for the guilty to be punished.
STF Justice Edson Fachin charged his predecessor for holding Lava Jato cases for up to 21 months. Do you intend to unblock these cases?
It is a priority because they have their own deadlines. It is not only about unlocking. The Prosecutor’s Office should be guided by the principle of impersonality. I can’t choose my favorite defendant, I can’t be anybody’s favorite villain nor choose a defendant. I need to work with objective and rational criteria. The ideal is to chronologically compile these cases so that the advice complies from beginning to end. This applies to cases that do not involve inevitable deadlines.
Do you have a gun permit?
Who doesn’t (in the MPF)? Now, within the STF setting, what are you going to carry a gun for? It’s not a matter of being peaceful, it’s a matter of being respectful of the law. Am I going to the Supreme Court or to the Prosecutor’s Office carrying a gun? We may even need it on the street, but not in here.
Source: Estado de S. Paulo.