STF decides to make Otoni de Paula a defendant for statements against Moraes

The Federal Supreme Court (STF) decided this Thursday (29) to make federal deputy Otoni de Paula (MDB-RJ) defendant for defamation, libel and coercion. The decision was unanimous. The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) denounced Otoni for statements against Minister Alexandre de Moraes.

On video, the parliamentarian called the minister “trash”, “tyrant” and “scoundrel”. The PGR understood that the statements cannot be considered within the scope of parliamentary immunity. Minister Nunes Marques, rapporteur of the case, agreed with the understanding of the Attorney General’s Office and stressed that the deputy “exceeded himself”.

“From reading the denunciation, it is seen that the deputy exceeded the free right of expression of thought, even with the intention of carrying out an outburst in wide dissemination, offending Minister Alexandre de Moraes”, said Nunes Marques.

Now, the deputy becomes a defendant and a criminal action will be opened. The rapporteur was accompanied by ministers André Mendonça, Edson Fachin, Dias Toffoli, Cármen Lúcia, Gilmar Mendes and Rosa Weber. Minister Alexandre de Moraes declared himself impeded. Ministers Luís Roberto Barroso and Luiz Fux did not participate in the session. The score was seven to zero.

During the session, lawyer Heli Lopes Dourado, responsible for Otoni’s defense, said that the deputy would like to apologize to Moraes. “My client comes to apologize to Your Excellency for what he said. They were inappropriate words, the defense recognizes. There is respect for the performance, history and behavior of this supreme court, which honors Brazil,” said the lawyer.