Richter says Brazil is controlled by paramilitary groups in Rio

“What it shows is that we are ruled by people in the shadows. “This is the reality of people from Rio de Janeiro’s militias (paramilitary groups) who play leading roles in national politics,” Mendes told reporters in Lisbon today as part of the Luso-Brazilian economic forum LIDE.

The judge was referring to statements by Brazilian Senator Marcos do Val, who accused Bolsonaro of trying to persuade him to stage a coup and not recognizing leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s April 1 Brazilian presidential election victory. We have reduced the level of political corruption,” the judge added. He also advocated for public security and armed forces reforms, as the “bankruptcy of the security system” occurred during the January 8 attacks on the headquarters of the 3 Armed Forces in Brasilia by radical Bolsonarists.

The forum, which began yesterday and will end Saturday at a hotel in Lisbon, was attended by former Brazilian President Michel Temer, as well as members of Brazil’s Federal Court and Supreme Electoral Court who are calling for the country’s return. normal.

Among the participants was Bruno Dantas, the president of the Brazilian Court of Auditors, who argued before the journalists that those responsible for the January 8 attacks should be held accountable before the judiciary.

“History shows that tolerance is not the best way to deal with criminals. The criminal must be punished with the severity of the law,” he said.

He added that the damage caused by these protests is still being analyzed and, once quantified, those responsible for the damage will be identified using tax records and fined.

“It’s the job of the police to track people down, but as soon as we have the list of vandals, we will hold them accountable.”

So far, they have blocked more than 18 million reals (about 3.2 million euros) of their assets.

On the other hand, Temer admitted that he did not think the January 8 demonstrations would be repeated and predicted that “absolute calm” would return to the country in the coming days.

“I think it is a step that is not good for the country. It has even created a negative image, but I believe this too will be overcome with extraordinary speed as the Brazilian legal system evolves so quickly.

Temer explained that Brazil “has gone through many political, economic and social crises and has overcome them all” (…). In a few days the country will be completely calm.”