Eduardo Appio, judge in charge of the Lava Jato cases in Curitiba.| Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/Gazeta do Povo.

The Federal Regional Court of the 4th Region (TRF4) overturned this Friday (19) two decisions by Judge Eduardo Appio, of the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba, which accepted requests presented by the defense of former Minister Antonio Palocci. Appio is responsible for the remaining Lava Jato processes.

The TRF4 canceled a hearing scheduled for this Friday in which Palocci would talk about alleged “excesses and errors” in the operation, reported Folha de S. Paulo. In addition, the magistrate annulled Appio’s decision that released R$ 35 million from an account linked to the former minister. Judge Thompson Flores responded to a request from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).

The prosecutors argued that the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba does not have the competence to decide on the appeals and did not inform the MPF about the case. In relation to the hearing, the Court also pointed out the incompetence of the Court of Curitiba to determine the hearing, as issues related to Palocci’s collaboration agreement are dealt with by the 8th Criminal Panel of the TRF4.