Retired judge Sebastião Coelho da Silva, lawyer for the first defendant tried for the acts of January 8, stated that the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) are “the most hated people in this country” in front of the magistrates themselves, this Wednesday ( 13).
The statement was made during his oral argument in the trial of his client, Aécio Lúcio Costa Pereira, 51 years old, resident in Diadema (SP), at the Supreme Court. The trial of Thiago de Assis Mathar, 43 years old, from the city of São José do Rio Preto (SP) is also scheduled for this Wednesday; Moacir José dos Santos, 52 years old, from Foz do Iguaçu (PR); and Matheus Lima de Carvalho Lázaro, 24 years old, residing in Apucarana (PR). In total, the Supreme Court admitted, in recent months, the opening of cases against 1,395 people.
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The trial began with the presentation of the case by the rapporteur, Minister Alexandre de Moraes. The reviewing minister, Kassio Nunes Marques, made no additions. Afterwards, Deputy Attorney General of the Republic Carlos Frederico Santos presented the position of the Federal Public Ministry. Afterwards, the defense of the defendant, Sebastião Coelho da Silva, spoke. Then, the ministers begin voting, starting with Moraes.
On the occasion, Silva stated that on the benches of the STF plenary “are the most hated people in this country”. “Unfortunately, how many photos do I have with ministers of this court. Many, many. Your Excellencies must be aware that they are hated people in this country. This is a reality that someone has to say directly”, repeated the lawyer.
Sebastião Coelho da Silva / Pedro França/Agência Senado
Furthermore, Sebastião stated that his client should not be judged by the Federal Supreme Court as it does not have a privileged forum, but in the first instance. He also argued that this was a “political” trial. “This (political judgment) is proven by the initial words of the rapporteur (Alexandre de Moares) and the deputy attorney of the Republic (Carlos Santos), who made statements outside the process, even before the procedural part”, he stated.
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In response, Minister Alexandre de Moraes rejected allegations that he would be suspected of trying the defendants related to the coup events of January 8 and reaffirmed the Court’s authority to conduct the process.
When rebutting Sebastião Coelho da Silva’s words, the judge spoke of denialism. “So people came, people took tickets, got in line, just like they do at Hopi Hari, in São Paulo, or at Disney. Now we’re going to invade the Supreme Court, we’re going to break a little thing there. Now we’re going to invade the Senate, now let’s invade Planalto”, joked Moraes.
Minister Alexandre de Moraes (STF) refuted the allegations that the court would not be competent to judge the acts of January 8th.
“The flat-earthism and denialism of some people make it seem like January 8th was a Sunday in the park”, joked Moraes.
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“If the Court is suspicious, no one judges. So who knows, next summer it will be possible for a new excursion to Praça dos Três Poderes, with a new invasion, destruction and attempted coup.”
After the second round of elections, Silva became the target of a complaint to the National Council of Justice (CNJ) after he threatened minister Alexandre de Moraes with arrest. As a judge at the Regional Electoral Court of the Federal District (TRE-DF), he stated that Moraes was politically disrupting the country. The judge also said that the minister’s speech “inflames” and “does not add value”.
Today, at the STF, Silva said he is being persecuted by the CNJ. “I’m not intimidated by absolutely anything”, said Coelho da Silva. He also participated in events at the Bolsonarista camp in front of the Army headquarters, in Brasília.
Understand the charges
Aécio Pereira was arrested in the act while still on the Senate premises. Matheus Lázaro invaded Congress and was arrested near Praça do Buriti, located about five kilometers from Praça dos Três Poderes. Thiago Mathar and Moacir dos Santos were detained at Palácio do Planalto. However, in early August, Moacir dos Santos’ arrest was revoked.
The Strategic Group to Combat Anti-Democratic Acts (GCAA), of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), points to the crimes and crimes of armed criminal association, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup d’état, qualified damage through violence and serious threat and deterioration of listed heritage. If added together, the sentences can reach 30 years in prison.
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In a statement to the Federal Police (PF), Aécio Pereira stated that he did not cause any damage to public property. In a video recorded in the Senate plenary, the defendant sent a message to his colleagues saying: “Friends of Sabesp who didn’t believe (sic), we are here. Whoever didn’t believe, I’m here for you too, damn it. Look where I am. President’s table. Vilsão, Roni. We’re here, damn it. Marcelão, we’re here, damn it. It’s going to work. Don’t give up. Take to the streets. Stop the avenues. Support us.”
Editing: Thalita Pires
