União Brasil decides to expel deputy Chiquinho Brazão

The National Executive of União Brasil decided on Sunday night (24) to expel federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão, from Rio de Janeiro, arrested in the operation launched by the Federal Police to arrest suspects for the murder of councilor Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes, in March 2018.

In a statement, the party reported that it unanimously approved the precautionary request for expulsion, with the cancellation of the parliamentarian’s party affiliation, the target of the PF operation alongside his brother, Domingos Brazão; and former delegate Rivaldo Barbosa. The three were arrested in Rio de Janeiro and transferred to Brasília, as determined by the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes.

The representation was presented by federal deputy Alexandre Leite (União-SP) and reported by senator Efraim Filho (União-PB). Although a member, the parliamentarian no longer maintained any relationship with the party and had asked the Superior Electoral Court for authorization to disaffiliate.

The decision of the National Executive points out that Brazão “involves in at least three illicit conducts provided for in article 95 of the Statute: political activity contrary to the Democratic Rule of Law, the Democratic Regime and party interests; lack of exactingness in fulfilling duties relating to functions public and partisan groups and political violence against women”.

The national president of União Brasil, Antonio de Rueda, had already requested the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the parliamentarian, identified as having ordered the death of councilor Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes.

The note says that “União Brasil emphatically repudiates any crimes, especially those that undermine the Democratic Rule of Law and those that involve violence against women.” The document also states that the party leadership expresses deep solidarity with the families of Marielle and Anderson.