Ramagem votes to release Brazão and dilutes Paes’ losses – 04/11/2024 – Power

Federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem (PL-RJ) voted this Wednesday (10) for the release of Chiquinho Brazão (no party-RJ), a suspect in the Marielle Franco (PSOL) case, and diluted the electoral impact suffered by mayor Rio de Janeiro , Eduardo Paes (PSD), after arrest.

The two are the main candidates for mayor this year. Paes was criticized for having appointed Chiquinho as municipal secretary when there were already suspicions about the involvement of Domingos Brazão, brother and political leader of the clan, in the murder of the councilor.

This Wednesday, Paes’ allies voted to maintain the deputy’s arrest. Ramagem followed the PL’s guidance and opted for the deputy’s release, but did not publicly justify the choice.

Representative Tarcísio Motta (PSOL), a friend of Marielle and also a pre-candidate for mayor, voted in favor of the STF’s decision.

“Maintaining the prison is to ensure that the investigation continues without influence. Guarantee, no, but at least reduce it. Because the militias are still in the State apparatus. They are still in power, they are still lobbying here in this Chamber,” he said.

Chiquinho was arrested last month along with Domingos, both suspected of ordering the councilor’s death. Chief Rivaldo Barbosa, head of the Civil Police at the time of the crime, was arrested on suspicion of having helped plan the crime and hindering its elucidation.

The Chamber plenary had 277 votes in favor of maintaining the decision of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) for Chiquinho’s arrest, 20 more than necessary.

In the Rio de Janeiro bench, the electoral base of the Brazão family, the minority voted to maintain the prison (18 out of 45 deputies). The majority voted for his release, abstained or did not vote, which, in practice, benefited the deputy.

Ramagem voted for the deputy’s release both in the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission), where he is a substitute, and in the plenary. The PL pre-candidate for Rio mayor did not justify the decision. He followed the PL’s guidance contrary to Moraes’ decision.

“The whole of Brazil awaits Justice. But tonight, we are not dealing with that, but with the legality of the arrest of deputy Chiquinho Brazão. We swore to the Constitution when we took office. This arrest is illegal and violates the Brazilian Constitution”, said the leader of PL in the Chamber, Altineu Côrtes.

Potential vice-president on Paes’ ticket, deputy Pedro Paulo (PSD) voted to maintain the prison, as did Marcelo Calero and Laura Carneiro, also linked to the mayor.

Deputy Marcelo Queiroz (PP), who is trying to make the candidacy viable, also voted to maintain the prison. Representative Otoni de Paula, pre-candidate for the MDB, voted against Moraes’ decision, with an argument similar to that presented by the PL.

One of the votes that caught the attention of the Rio de Janeiro bench was from congresswoman Daniela Waguinho (União Brasil), former minister in the Lula government. Despite Planalto’s guidance to vote to maintain the prison, she opted for Brazão’s release.

The deputy was a minister in the Lula government and was kept in her position after the Sheet reveal the links between his political group and militiamen from Baixada Fluminense.