PGR calls for an inquiry against Bolsonaro for electoral use of the bicentennial

The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) recommended on Thursday, 2, in opinion to the Supreme Court (STF), that Minister André Mendonça filed an inquiry against former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

The investigation investigates the alleged electoral use of institutional symbols and public resources during the acts of the Bicentennial Independence in 2022, in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

Attorney General Paulo Gonet argues that the conduct attributed to Bolsonaro and his candidate for deputy at the time, General Walter Braga Netto, has already been examined in the criminal action that resulted in the conviction of both for attempted coup.

“The illicit portrayed in this petition are encompassed in the crimes already reported. There are no new elements capable of expanding the typical framing formulated in PET 12.100/DF,” wrote Gonet.

The episode was also what led the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to declare, in October 2023, the ineligibility of Bolsonaro and Braga Netto for eight years. THE

The actions filed in the TSE accused the former president of “inserting in his campaign act” all the apparatus intended for the celebration of the bicentenary of Independence, which included stage and broadcast on TV Brasil. The festivities were described as “grand event, on the most important commemorative date of the country, transformed into a rally with public resources”.

After the decision, the rapporteur of the case in the TSE, Minister Benedito Gonçalves, referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office to assess the possibility of criminal liability. The Federal Police (PF) then opened an inquiry at the end of 2024.

With the change of understanding of the Supreme Court on privileged forum, the Electoral Court of the Federal District sent the process to the Court as the facts occurred during the presidential term.

Distributed to André Mendonça in May, through a draw, the case should be filed if the minister follows the recommendation of PGR.