Aras denies omissions over Bolsonaro; says he does not accept politics in Prosecutor’s Office

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s Prosecutor General, Augusto Aras, said Wednesday (18) that there was no failure to act regarding the conflict between President Jair Bolsonaro and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and that he does not accept politics in the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR).

The statements were made in an interview with Folha de S.Paulo. “There was no failure at any time by the Prosecutor General,” he said.

The interview granted by Aras took place just hours after Senators Fabiano Contarato and Alessandro Vieira filed a criminal complaint against him for malfeasance (deleliction of duty) in the Federal Court (STF).

According to Aras, the PGR never found evidence of electoral fraud and certified the legality of all elections. “The Prosecutor General of the Republic, especially under my leadership, participated in all acts related to the elections and legitimized the elections,” he said.

To rebut accusations that he had not responded to alleged coup threats and Bolsonaro’s critics on the electoral judiciary and Supreme Court ministers, he said the criticism against him came from people who did not know the laws. He could only speak legally, he said.

“The difference, which may surprise some journalists, is that a prosecutor does not interfere in politics and is committed to respecting the Constitution and the laws,” he said.

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