Government fires Abin employees arrested in PF operation

The federal government announced on Friday night (20) the dismissal of two employees of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) arrested in this morning’s Federal Police operation. Eduardo Arthur Izycki and Rodrigo Colli were targets of the operation suspected of being involved in the illegal espionage of ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), politicians, lawyers and journalists.

The Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic reported that the two were already being investigated internally at the agency. “The decision was taken after verifying the participation, as partners representing the company ICCIBER/CERBERO, in a auction opened by the Cyber ​​Defense Command of the Brazilian Army (bidding no. 18/2018-UASG 160076). The purpose of the auction was the acquisition of a cyber exploration and web intelligence solution capable of collecting data from various internet sources,” the ministry said in a note.

The government pointed out that they had committed the following irregularities: violation of the prohibition expressly contained in the law – acting in management and administration of a business company; administrative improbity due to breach of duty through conduct typified by law as a conflict of interest; and violation of the exclusive dedication regime to which all Abin Intelligence Officer positions are subject.

PF investigations showed that Abin’s cell phone geolocation system had been invaded repeatedly, without a court order. The two employees would have used their knowledge of these acts to coerce their managers not to be fired.