Bolsonaro Decorates Ministers Weintraub and PGR Aras with Order of Naval Merit

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Friday, May 29th, President Jair Bolsonaro granted the Order of Naval Merit, in the grade of Grand Officer, to three State Ministers. Among them is the head of the Education portfolio, Abraham Weintraub, who is targeted by the Office of the Prosecutor General (PGR) for an alleged crime of calumny against China in a social media post.

Augusto Aras, the Federal Prosecutor General, was also decorated. The honor was conferred upon Aras after the President said on Thursday that he could eventually grant the Prosecutor General a seat on the Federal Supreme Court (STF). Minister of Tourism Marcelo Álvaro Antônio and the Government Executive Secretary Jorge Oliveira were also decorated.

Following Weintraub’s statements on social media, the PGR received petitions from the PSOL (Socialism and Liberty Party) and called on the Supreme Court to open an inquiry to investigate Minister Weintraub. The Minister will also be forced to provide the Federal Police with clarification regarding his statements about the Supreme Court during the April 22nd cabinet meeting.

In relation to Aras, Bolsonaro said over a live broadcast on Thursday that “if a third seat opens, I hope that no one should leave, but Augusto Aras’s name is strong for the Supreme Court”. The President said Aras’ performance is “outstanding”.

During his term in office, the President can appoint two names to the STF to fill the seats of Justices Celso de Mello and Marco Aurélio de Mello, both of whom must retire when they reach the age of 75.

Bolsonaro’s nod comes at a time when Aras could indict the President within the scope of the inquiry before the Supreme Court, investigating whether the President interfered with the Federal Police to protect family and friends.

In another government-related case, the Prosecutor showed support and called on STF Justice Edson Fachin to suspend the inquiry investigating the fabrication of fake news. The request came after the Federal Police conducted a search and seizure operation on government supporters.

Through a decree published in the Federal Gazette, the President also decorated representatives of embassies, judges of the Supreme Labor Court, and legislators from the government base in Congress. Among these were federal deputies Hélio Lopes and Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança, both under investigation by the PGR.

The Order of Naval Merit was established in 1934 by President Getúlio Vargas. The honor is intended for Navy personnel and, exceptionally, military corporations, civil institutions, and civil and military figures who have rendered relevant services to the Navy.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo