STF imposes a closed regime on Collor; penalty exceeds 8 years – 05/31/2023 – Power

The STF (Supreme Federal Court) decided, this Wednesday (31), to apply a sentence of 8 years and 10 months in prison, in a closed initial regime, to former president Fernando Collor (PTB) for the commission of crimes of passive corruption and money laundering.

He was also sentenced to 90 fine days, each defined as five minimum wages.

The Penal Code establishes that the person convicted with a sentence of more than eight years in prison must start serving it in a closed regime.

The STF’s decision was taken in the seventh judgment session of the lawsuit against Collor, derived from Operation Lava Jato.

Last Thursday (25), it was decided by 8 votes to 2 to condemn the former president. Ministers Gilmar Mendes and Kassio Nunes Marques were the only ones who voted for his acquittal.

The size of the feather and its conditions —the so-called dosimetry— were defined this Wednesday. Collor, however, will only be arrested after the judgment of any appeals presented by his defense.

The former president and former senator is accused of receiving bribes from a corruption scheme at BR Distribuidora, a subsidiary of Petrobras.

Vouchers found in the office of money changer Alberto Youssef, in addition to testimonies from employees of the operation, were used as evidence in the action against Collor.

The case was taken to the agenda of the plenary of the STF because it was close to the statute of limitations. The former president has always denied all accusations.

Edson Fachin, minister reporting the case, voted on the 17th to sentence Collor to a sentence of 33 years, 10 months and ten days in prison for the crimes of money laundering, corruption and criminal organization.

According to Fachin’s vote, the evidence showed that, from 2010 to 2014, Collor influenced the command and boards of BR Distribuidora, which led to the signing of contracts between the state-owned company and the construction company UTC. In exchange, says the prosecution, the former president received R$ 20 million.

The magistrate stated that the accused’s guilt is exacerbated, “since membership of an organized criminal group on the part of someone who is usually the holder of popular trust for the exercise of power entails a much more intense judgment of disapproval than would be appropriate in the case of a ordinary citizens”.

Collor’s defense, led by lawyer Marcelo Bessa, maintained to the Supreme Court that the accusations against the former president are based only on plea bargains. He claimed there was no evidence against his client. According to Bessa, Collor was not responsible for appointing directors at BR Distribuidora.

Collor was president from 1990 to 1992 — the first president elected in direct elections after the military dictatorship — and left office in the midst of an impeachment process.

The complaint against Collor was one of the first offered by the Attorney General’s Office in the context of Lava Jato, in 2015.