Brazilian Court Orders Michel Temer to Return to Prison

By Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Michel Temer, a former president of Brazil, should present himself to the Federal Police (PF) this Thursday (9th), after the 2nd Federal Regional Court, located in Rio de Janeiro, has suspended the habeas corpuses for Temer and Colonel João Baptista Lima Filho, which kept them out of prison.

The former president spoke to the Press at the evening of this Wednesday (8th) in São Paulo and promised to present himself to the PF. The First Specialized Panel of TRF2 passed judgment on their habeas corpuses yesterday afternoon.

After been arrested during the Operation Decontamination, on March 21st, Temer and Colonel Lima were released four days later, on March 25th, after a preliminary decision of Appellate Judge Ivan Athié, who makes the First Panel of TRF2 with two other appellate judges: Abel Gomes and Paulo Espírito Santo.

Temer and Colonel Lima’s defense attorneys have asked if the respondents can present themselves to the Court, without being captured. Abel Gomes said that he will issue new arrest warrants and that both of them will be able to present themselves wherever they want.

The former president had been arrested with the former minister and other respondents accused of participating in a gang that committed corruption crimes related to the construction of Angra 3 Nuclear Plant.

At his defense attorney’s request, after been arrested, Temer was taken to the Federal Police Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The former minister Moreira Franco was kept in detention in the Special Prison Battalion (BEP), in Niterói.

Their detentions had been decided by Federal Judge Marcelo Bretas, of the 7th Federal Criminal Division, which judges processes related to Operation Car Wash in Rio de Janeiro.

Defense Attorneys

The former president Michel Temer’s defense attorney, Eduardo Pizarro Carnelós, said right after the hearing that today he will appeal to the Superior Court of Justice (STJ).

He also informed that Temer will present himself voluntarily to the Court this Thursday, in São Paulo.

“I can only feel sorry because I consider it an injustice. There are no grounds for that,” said Carneló. For the attorney, the Court’s decision took into account what he called “setting an example to society,” but according to him, it poses no risk to the public order.

Colonel Lima’s defense attorney left without commenting on the Court’s decision.