This week, a look into how the Justice system has become excessively political. And a massive police operation against Brazil’s most powerful criminal organization.
Important: Next Monday is a federal holiday, Brazil’s Independence Day. Therefore, next week’s Weekly Report will be sent out on Tuesday, September 8.
What Rio governor suspension says about Brazil’s Justice system
On Wednesday, the Superior Court of Justice decides on whether to uphold a Friday decision by one of its justices, which suspended Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel from office due to his alleged involvement in a corruption scheme to embezzle part of the state’s coronavirus budget. The individual decision was highly controversial, raising suspicions of being politically-driven — it also is a good example of how the Justice system operates in Brazil, writes reporter José Roberto Castro.
Exception becomes the rule. Brazilian high courts are designed to work as collegiate boards, with the intention of reaching fairer decisions. The Supreme Court has 11 justices, while the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), the second-highest judicial body in the land, has 33 members. Individual decisions should only occur in exceptional cases — and never in consequential decisions such as suspending a governor from office.
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