Substitute judge of the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba took over processes conducted by Appio regarding Operation Lava Jato.| Photo: reproduction/You Tube

The substitute judge Gabriela Hardt, who took over the Lava Jato processes after the removal of Judge Eduardo Appio, asked for removal from office to participate in an internal contest of the Federal Regional Court of the 4th Region (TRF4).

Hardt has been conducting the proceedings arising from the operation since last Tuesday (23), and has also judged previous cases shortly after Sérgio Moro left the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba. She was responsible for the conviction of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in the investigation that found the payment of bribes through the renovation of a site in Atibaia (SP).

In note to People’s Gazette this Friday (26), TRF4 said that Hardt’s removal is underway in the contest to assume another branch in one of the states covered by the court. The judge has until the 29th to decide whether or not to maintain the transfer request.

“Dr. Gabriela Hardt expressed interest in running for removal, as well as several other judges. However, there is no way to have a definition, at this moment, that the magistrate will be able to remove herself from the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba, even because there may be withdrawal on her part”, said the court.

Also according to TRF4, after the deadlines have expired, the process is instructed and brought to trial by the Board of Directors of the Court. Only after the decision has been judged by the collegiate will the eventual removal be confirmed.