Court Grants Bolsonaro 72 Hours to Explain Change of Rio Federal Police Chief

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Federal Court in Brasília granted President Jair Bolsonaro 72 hours to justify the change in Rio de Janeiro’s Federal Police (PF) command.

The decision was published on Tuesday, May 5th, the same day that the President confirmed the removal of Carlos Henrique Oliveira from his position as the force’s chief in the state.

The Solicitor General of Brazil stated that he has not been notified of the decision and that he will take “the appropriate judicial action”.

The court order grants a petition from one of the coordinators of the ‘Movimento Brasil Livre’ (Free Brazil Movement – MBL), Rubens Nunes. He challenged the legitimacy of replacing the position, which is considered strategic in investigations.

Tácio Muzzi was chosen as the new PF chief in Rio de Janeiro. The replacement was appointed by the new Director-General of the Federal Police, Rolando de Souza.

The change of command will also be investigated by the Office of the Prosecutor General (PGR). The investigation will unfold within the inquiry opened by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to investigate the alleged political interference of President Jair Bolsonaro in the autonomy of the Federal Police, following the resignation of ex-Minister Sérgio Moro.

Federal Police Number two

On Tuesday, Bolsonaro told journalists, when leaving the Alvorada Palace, that Oliveira had been invited by Rolando de Souza to take on the position that is considered the second most prominent within the Federal Police.

When asked if the change would be an “interference” in the Federal Police’s investigations, the President told reporters to shut up. And he continued:

“Shut up! He is leaving to become executive director at the invitation of the current director-general. I’m not interfering in anything. If he were someone I disliked and if I would interfere with the PF, then he wouldn’t be going there. That’s the message you are sending. I have nothing against the Rio de Janeiro superintendent. And I don’t interfere with the Federal Police. And he’s being invited to be executive director. He’s number two,” he said.

Source: G1