Moro Advocates Investigating ‘Abnormal Circumstances’ in Valeixo’s Dismissal

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The defense counsel of ex-Minister of Justice Sérgio Moro released a note on Monday, May 25th, advocating the investigation of “abnormal circumstances” in the publication of Mauricio Valeixo’s dismissal from the post of Federal Police Director-General.

Valeixo’s resignation was published on April 24th in the Federal Gazette and included Moro and President Jair Bolsonaro’s signatures. However, on that same day, Moro said he had not signed the document. The resignation was republished without Moro’s signature, including only the signatures of Bolsonaro and other Ministers.

On Monday, May 25th, the General Secretariat of the Presidency sent a letter to the Federal Police confirming Moro’s version, stating that the then Minister did not sign Valeixo’s resignation.

“Regarding the dismissal notice of the former Director-General of the Federal Police, Maurício Valeixo, ex-Minister Sérgio Moro has said no physical or electronic signatures were collected from any of the authorities attributed to the act. The ex-Minister was not first consulted regarding the dismissal, which he did not agree with. Therefore, the abnormal circumstances surrounding the official publication must be ascertained,” Moro’s attorneys said.

Valeixo’s resignation led Moro to step down as Minister. At the time, he said Bolsonaro had tried to interfere in the Federal Police by dismissing Valeixo and demanding his replacement by the head of the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro, charges that the President denies.

Federal Police command

After dismissing Valeixo, Bolsonaro appointed Alexandre Ramagem, Director General of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN ), to the position of Federal Police Director-General.

However, Federal Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted a PDT (Democratic Labor Party) petition and suspended Ramagem’s appointment. The Justice considered that the appointment constituted a misuse of purpose, as Ramagem is a friend of the Bolsonaros.

The President then appointed Rolando de Souza to the position. Sousa was a subordinate to Ramagem at the ABIN.

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