Brazil’s STF: Justice Moraes extends digital militia investigation for 90 days

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Federal Supreme Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes decided to extend for a further 90 days the inquiry into a purported digital militia that allegedly acted against democracy and the democratic rule of law.

The rapporteur’s decision came on January 5, but the order was published on Friday, January 7. This is the second time Moraes extends the investigations – the first was in October 2021.

“Considering the need for further investigations and the existence of ongoing proceedings, under the terms provided in art. 10 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, I hereby extend this inquiry for an additional 90 (ninety) days, from the end of the previous deadline (January 6, 2022),” Moraes wrote.

The inquiry was opened in July 2021 to investigate the activities of alleged digital militias on social networks and uncover those responsible for organizing and funding them. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Police.

SANTINI

In the same inquiry, on Monday, January 10, Moraes also subpoenaed National Secretary of Justice José Vicente Santini to respond within 5 days.

Senator Randolfe Rodrigues had requested the STF to remove Santini for interfering in the extradition process of Bolsonarist blogger Allan dos Santos, currently in the United States.

The senator also requested the inclusion of the National Secretary of Justice in the list of persons under investigation in the digital militias inquiry.