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On Sunday (23/10), former Federal Deputy and Brazilian Labor Party (PTB) President Roberto Jefferson attacked with an automatic rifle and grenades a group of Federal Policemen (PF) that went to his house to remove him from house arrest and send him to jail once more. Jefferson is investigated for activities of a criminal organization that would have acted to attack the Democratic State of Law. Due to that he was arrested but allowed to remain under house arrest.
House Arrest Revocation
One of the measures Jefferson should obey under house arrest is not to participate in social networks. In recent days, he appeared in a video uttering offenses against , Supreme Court (STF) Minister Cármen Lúcia, when complaining about a judicial decision taken by her. He also gave guidelines to PTB leaders, received visits, granted interviews and shared fake news that affect the honor and safety of the STF and its ministers.
On Sunday (23/10), opposition senators Randolfe Rodrigues and Eliziane Gama asked the STF to return Jefferson to jail. The senators argued that the measure should be taken because the former deputy did not comply with the obligations of house arrest. STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes authorized the arrest.
The Arrest
On Sunday (23/10) morning, Federal Policemen went to Jefferson’s house, in Comendador Levy Gasparian city, Rio de Janeiro state countryside, to arrest him. The former deputy resisted shot and threw grenades at the officers. Only after 8 hours of negotiations he surrendered himself and went to jail.
He arrived at the beginning of the morning of this Monday (24/10) at the Benfica Prison, in the North Zone of Rio, about 14 hours after being arrested by the Federal Police (PF).
Why Was He Initially Arrested
According to Minister Moraes, the politician is part of a “possible criminal organization” that seeks to “destabilize republican institutions”. IInvestigators believe he is part of the political nucleus of this organization.
For Moraes, this supposed organization has a virtual network of supporters who share messages with the aim of overthrowing the “democratic structure and the rule of law in Brazil”.
Aggression
Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro went to the door of Roberto Jefferson’s house and harassed the press that was there. A film reporter was assaulted, thrown to the floor and had his camera broken.
President Bolsonaro Reaction
President Jair Bolsonaro repudiated the offenses against Cármen Lúcia and the armed action, but criticized the STF investigation and ordered the Minister of Justice, Anderson Torres, to go to Jefferson’s house. The minister’s presence was requested by Roberto Jefferson himself, informs columnist Valdo Cruz. Jefferson has been an ally of the President.
