Brazil ex-congressman Roberto Jefferson back in jail
Former federal representative Roberto Jefferson has been taken to a prison facility in northern Rio de Janeiro city. He was under house arrest and had to return to jail after a Supreme Court decision.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes stipulated that the former house member should return to pre-trial detention for not complying with precautionary measures, including not posting on social media. In a video shared Friday (Oct. 21), Jefferson targeted Supreme Court Justice Cármen Lucia, referring to her with foul language.
Yesterday (23), while Federal Police agents were enforcing the court ruling at Jefferson’s home outside the city, the onetime congressman responded to the arrest by tossing a grenade and shooting at the officers. Two were hit by shrapnel from the grenade and faced minor injuries.
Detention
The warrant was not executed until late at night, after intense negotiation between the Federal Police and the former lawmaker. In addition to serving the order, the agents arrested Roberto Jefferson in flagrante delicto for attempted murder, the police reported.
Before being sent to jail, Jefferson was taken to police facilities in the capital so the authorities could issue a writ of arrest and conduct other formalities linked to the warrant.
“The Federal Police would like to reiterate that the agents availed themselves of all the techniques and observed all protocols required in crisis resolution, which culminated with the surrender of the prisoner,” a note reads.
Roberto Jefferson is expected to testify before a judge in a hearing later today.
Solidarity
Justice de Moraes shared a note on Twitter last night expressing solidarity with the injured officers. “Congratulations on the competent and professional work of the Federal Police, the pride of all Brazilians. Any attack on police officers is unacceptable. I stand in solidarity with agent Karina Oliveira and chief of police Marcelo Vilella, who were cowardly wounded.”
President Jair Bolsonaro first published a tweet repudiating Jefferson’s attitude towards Cármen Lúcia and his armed action against law enforcement, but also criticizing he termed “inquiries with on foundation on the Constitution and no participation of the Prosecution Service.”
Later on, Bolsonaro posted a video calling the former deputy a bandit. “Just as I ordered Justice Minister Anderson Torres, Roberto Jefferson has been arrested. The treatment given to those who shoot a policeman is that of a bandit. I send my solidarity to the policemen wounded in this incident.”
The justice minister also published a video on the ministry’s social media describing Jefferson’s response to the arrest as “a serious episode.” “This episode led us to come here to the police station of Juiz de Fora [city] to monitor the proceedings and check further developments. These facts are appalling. I’d like to express my solidarity at this moment with the federal officers injured in this incident. I thank God everyone is fine,” he said.
The minister, who labeled Jefferson a “lawbreaker,” also empathized with Justice Cármen Lúcia over the verbal attacks aimed at her by the ex-representative.
