✓ verbatim from the press
Seven deputies from PSOL and Rede filed a petition with the Attorney General's Office (PGR) requesting criminal investigation of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) for alleged attack on national sovereignty. The accusation is based on the congressman's actions with the US government to include the First Capital Command (PCC) and Red Command (CV) on the American list of terrorist organizations. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Um grupo de deputados do PSOL e da Rede pediu à Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR) para investigar o senador e pré-candidato à Presidência Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) por possível atentado à soberania nacional. A representação cita a atuação do parlamentar junto ao governo Donald Trump em defesa da classificação do Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) e do Comando Vermelho(CV) como organizações terroristas."
According to the petition signed by deputies Fernanda Melchionna (PSOL-RS), Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL-SP), Duda Salabert (PSOL-MG), Luiza Erundina (PSOL-SP), Heloísa Helena (Rede-RJ), Luizianne Lins (Rede-CE) and Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ), Flávio Bolsonaro met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday (26) and the next day with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to advocate for the classification. The designation was announced Thursday (28) by the American government. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O documento - assinado pelas deputadas federais Fernanda Melchionna (PSOL-RS), Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL-SP), Duda Salabert (PSOL-MG), Luiza Erundina (PSOL-SP), Heloísa Helena (Rede-RJ), Luizianne Lins (Rede-CE) e pelo deputado Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ)"
The lawmakers allege that classifying the factions as terrorists could generate economic sanctions on Brazilian financial institutions and open legal possibility for US military intervention on national territory. They also argue that Flávio would have "usurped the exclusive competence of the Chief Executive" by conducting diplomatic negotiations, violating constitutional provision that exclusively assigns the president of the Republic to conduct foreign relations. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Segundo eles, além de possibilitar a imposição de sanções econômicas a instituições financeiras brasileiras, a classificação abre, sob o direito interno norte-americano, a possibilidade jurídica de intervenção militar dos Estados Unidos em áreas de atuação dessas organizações, à revelia do governo brasileiro."
The Lula government officially rejected the American classification. According to a note from the Presidential Palace on Friday (29), "Brazilians are the ones who define how crime is classified and combated within the country's territory, with their institutions, laws and security forces." The note states that "the terror caused by these organizations in communities seeks to obtain profit through crime, especially through drug and arms trafficking, and cannot be confused with the type of action for ideological, political and religious reasons of international terrorism." ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O governo afirmou, nesta sexta-feira (29), que são os brasileiros que definem como o crime é classificado e combatido dentro do território do país, com suas instituições, leis e forças de segurança. 'O terror causado por essas organizações em comunidades busca obter lucro através do crime, especialmente pelo tráfico de drogas e armas, e não pode ser confundido com o tipo de ação por motivos ideológicos, políticos e religiosos do terrorismo internacional', diz a nota do Palácio do Planalto."
In defense, the coordinator of Flávio Bolsonaro's pre-campaign, Senator Rogério Marinho, stated that "if the crime they accuse us of is seeking support from friendly nations to suffocate the finances of factions and unite forces to protect the population from terror and violence, we assume this guilt with conviction." The deputies request opening a federal police investigation and communication of facts to the TSE to evaluate possible abuse of power in the electoral process. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Se o crime que nos acusam é o de buscar apoio de nações amigas para asfixiar as finanças das facções e unir forças para proteger a população do terror e da violência, assumimos essa culpa com convicção"
Flávio Bolsonaro met with Trump on Tuesday (26) and with Marco Rubio on Wednesday (27)
The American designation was announced one day after the meeting with Marco Rubio
Flávio Bolsonaro celebrated the decision on social media with the phrase 'Great day!'
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
The measure had been studied for months by the American government
The petition requests communication of facts to TSE to evaluate electoral abuse of power
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What is the specific typification of the crime of attack on sovereignty in the Penal Code?
Why it's still unknown: The deputies cite the criminal type but there is no detail of the constitutive elements or jurisprudential precedents in the available material.
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Was there effective influence by Flávio Bolsonaro on the American decision?
Why it's still unknown: The petition cites New York Times report about 'months of aggressive lobbying', but consulted articles do not present direct evidence of influence beyond temporal proximity.
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What is the official position of the PGR on the request?
Why it's still unknown: The PGR has not yet officially commented on the petition presented by the deputies.
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What concrete measures can the US take against Brazilian institutions?
Why it's still unknown: The deputies mention economic sanctions and possibility of military intervention, but there is no specific detail of the legal consequences of the classification.